title: Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in an 11-year-old rugby player: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium are rare occurrences in young athletes, but they can result in potentially life-threatening consequences.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  While involved in a rugby match, an 11-year-old boy received a chest compression by 3 players during a tackle. He continued to play, but 2 hours later, he developed sharp retrosternal chest pain. A chest radiograph and an echocardiograph at the nearest emergency department showed pneumopericardium and pneumomediastinum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sternal and rib contusions, rib fractures, heartburn, acute asthma exacerbation, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumothorax, traumatic tracheal rupture, myocardial infarction, and costochondritis (Tietze syndrome).
  
  
  METHODS
  Acetaminophen for pain control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To our knowledge, this is the only case in the international literature of the simultaneous occurrence of pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a child as a consequence of blunt chest trauma during a rugby match.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium may be consequences of rugby blunt chest trauma. Symptoms can appear 1 to 2 hours later, and the conditions may result in serious complications. Immediate admission to the emergency department is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vanzo
authors.forename: Samuela
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bugin
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Snijders
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bottecchia
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Storer
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbato
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy