Abstract

ESTRADA R, MARÍA CAMILA; VELASQUEZ C, MARÍA ISABEL  and  ORREGO A, MAURICIO. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: a case report and literature review. CES Med. [online]. 2009, vol.23, n.2, pp.47-53. ISSN 0120-8705.

Spontaneous pneumomediatinum is a rare, generally benign and self-limited condition in children, caused by alveolar rupture and dissection of air into the mediastinum. In children, is seen most commonly in asthmatics but may also occur in any patient who induces a Valsalva maneuver. Clinical signs may include dyspnea, chest pain and subcutaneous emphysema. Diagnosis is made upon clinical suspicion and confirmed by chest x-rays. Treatment is symptomatic and conservative. This article will allow the clinician to become familiar with the specific clinical and radiological signs of this disease. We report a case of a 12 year-old girl who developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema after lifting heavy weight. The patient presented to the emergency department with chest pain and dyspnea. The initial physical exam was positive for subcutaneous emphysema. The chest x-rays confirmed the clinical suspicion of spontaneous pneumomediatinum. The patient's symptoms were completely resolved after two weeks of supportive management.

Keywords : Pneumomediastinum; Spontaneous pneumomediastinum; Chest pain; Subcutaneous emphysema; Pediatrics.

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