Q: What is the biggest danger while evaluating CXR with subcutaneous emphysema?
Answer: Missing underlying pneumothorax
The air may interdigitate with the muscle bundles to produce a characteristic linear streaky pattern, especially in the pectoralis muscles over the chest. When the streaky linear densities become widespread over the anterior and posterior chest walls, subcutaneous emphysema can obscure underlying pleural white line of a pneumothorax.
