Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a child as a rare cause of chest pain

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare disorder in children occurring mostly due to some triggering events. In general, no underlying cause is found. A 10-year-old boy was admitted with chest pain of acute onset, suggestive of pericardial effusion. His body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate were normal. Femoral pulses were palpable and he did not have cyanosis. Cardiac auscultation was normal except for a crunching sound. Electrocardiography showed no abnormality. There was no subcutaneous emphysema over the chest, neck or face. On the chest radiogram, suspected mediastinal air was noted. A left lateral chest X-ray revealed apparent presence of air in the anterior mediastinum. No etiologic cause could be documented. Pneumomediastinum resolved spontaneously within a week.

Keywords: Chest pain, child, mediastinal emphysema/diagnosis/radiography.