Air leak syndrome (ALS) as complication of asthma

Twenty-eight patients suffered 32 episodes of ALS (air leak syndrome) between 1974 and 1985 at the Department of Pediatrics of the National Minami-Fukuoka Chest Hospital. The highest incidence was observed between ten and twelve years of age and in the autumn. Their chief complaints were chest pain, sore throat and some pains in other parts. Pneumomediastinum associated with subcutaneous emphysema was observed in 50%; this was the most common type of ALS. Chest X-ray findings showed free air in the left mediastinum in 20 of 22 patients with pneumomediastinum. Free air in the left mediastinum is considered to be a diagnostic finding for ALS.