[Macklin effect in pediatric spontaneous pneumomediastinum].
Pneumomediastinum is defined as the presence of air in the mediastinum, and may be secondary to trauma or spontaneous. We present the case of a four-year old patient with a spontaneous pneumomediastinum secondary to a violent cough episode, presumably due to a simple cold. The presence of cervical pain, swelling and crepitus warned the pediatrician, who ordered the patient admission. Diagnosis was confirmed by chest and neck plane x-rays. The disorder had a short duration and favorable outcome with no specific treatment aside from symptomatic. CT scan performed at admission revealed an air migration through the perivasculobronchial sheath towards the mediastinum, the so-called "Macklin effect". This is the first description of this entity in pediatrics.
Bilkis
Manuel D
MD
UTIP, Sanatorio Mater Dei, Buenos Aires. mbilkis@gmail.com
Monteverde
Ezequiel
E
D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed