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Pneumomediastinum following penetrating oral trauma
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Richland Memorial Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina 29203, USA.
Insights
A child with a pen-related injury developed pneumomediastinum, a rare condition involving air in the chest cavity. Prompt recognition and management are crucial for treating this potentially serious complication.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Pneumomediastinum can arise from hypopharyngeal trauma.
- Foreign body ingestion or insertion poses a risk for pharyngeal injury.
Abstract:
Pneumomediastinum can result from a puncture wound or laceration to the hypopharynx. This is a case report of an 18-month-old child who fell with a pen in his mouth. Initial physical examination was unremarkable, but the child developed neck swelling, fever, and irritability over the next 12 hours. Repeat examination revealed marked pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. The pathophysiology and treatment of pneumomediastinum are reviewed.