Subcutaneous emphysema is a condition when there is air or gas under the skin tissue. Subcutaneous emphysema is most often found in the neck tissue or chest wall, although it does not rule out the possibility to occur in other body parts. Subcutaneous emphysema is often characterized by subtle protrusions on the surface of the skin. When the doctor performs an examination through touching the surface of the skin, you will feel the sensation of crackling (like touching a plastic bag) that appears when air is pushed through the skin tissue. Understanding the Causes of Subcutaneous Emphysema Subcutaneous emphysema can be categorized as one of the rare health conditions. In contrast to pulmonary emphysema, subcutaneous emphysema is usually not related to smoking. Even so, there are several things that can contribute to subcutaneous emphysema, namely: The condition of a collapsed lung or pneumothorax (usually accompanied by broken ribs). Facial fracture. Tears in the bronchial airw