title: Recurrent pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax in Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
abstract: Pneumothorax is an unusual complication of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis. We report three children who developed recurrent intrathoracic air leaks. In one case, bilateral pneumothoraces may have been precipated by intermittent positive pressure ventilation during general anaesthesia. Chemical pleurodesis was unsuccessful in preventing recurrence of pneumothoraces in two children. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as an alternative to intermittent positive pressure ventilation in children with respiratory failure from Langerhans cell histiocytosis is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Children's Cancer Unit, Sir James Spence Department of Child Health, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yule
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Windebank
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*