[Pneumomediastinum in children].
Pneumomediastinum in children is diagnosed in two circumstances: cervical subcutaneous emphysema or radiological findings. The predominant symptoms are dyspnoea, stabbing chest pain, sore throat and dysphagia. Traumatic injuries and pulmonary diseases such as asthma are the most common causes of pneumomediastinum. It may rarely result from iatrogenic manoeuvres or acidocetosis. Spontaneous mediastinal emphysema is seldom reported in children. Chest X-ray films are essential investigations. The treatment is directed towards the underlying cause, with conservative management being sufficient in most cases. However, the risk of surveying of pneumothorax or tension pneumomediastinum justifies close clinical follow-up in a specialised care unit. The onset of these pathologies necessitates a more aggressive therapy by aspiration through percutaneous catheter placed in the mediastinum.
Lemaire
V
V
Service de Pédiatrie, Cliniques Saint Joseph-Espérance.
Gielen
S
S
Lebrun
F
F
Bury
F
F
D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D002404:Catheterization; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic