The implications of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema for the paediatric otolaryngologist

Publication date: October 2017
Source:International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 101
Author(s): Chloe Swords, Neil Cheng-Wen Tan, Nico Jonas
Three patients presented within a 6-month period with pneumomediastinum. The underlying cause in each was distinct. One case occurred due to blunt laryngeal trauma and required urgent surgical intervention due to a decompensating airway. The second case was related to tracheal perforation secondary to a myofibroblastic tracheal tumour and the final case was related to adenovirus upper respiratory tract infection. Pneumomediastinum may be spontaneous or secondary to an underlying cause. Children should be managed using a multidisciplinary approach. Investigation and management should be influenced by clinical stability and invasive procedures should only be considered in patients who exhibit respiratory distress.



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