title: Pneumomediastinum causing pneumoperitoneum.
abstract: Pneumomediastinum is characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinum and has been recognized since 1827, when described by Laënnec. To the best of our knowledge, pneumoperitoneum as a result of spontaneous pneumomediastinum has not yet been described in the English literature. We observed and treated a young patient in the intensive care unit who presented with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Free intra-abdominal gas was observed on the chest x-ray film on the day after admission. Management was conservative. Intra-abdominal and mediastinal air disappeared within four days. This condition, when recognized, needs only observation; we report this as a medical curiosity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery A, Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lantsberg
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rosenzweig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000150:complications*; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology*; D013224:Status Asthmaticus / Q000150:complications; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000150:complications