Spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
A 15-year-old pregnant girl developed severe substernal pain during the final effort to give birth to her first child. Shortly thereafter a growing crepitant suprasternal swelling was noted. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema was clearly demonstrated by a chest film showing mediastinal air dissecting towards the neck and supradiaphragmatically. The causes and physiopathology of spontaneous pneumomediastinum are reviewed. The therapeutic use of oxygen is discussed.
Ramírez-Rivera
J
J
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico.
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011859:Radiography