The implications of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema for the paediatric otolaryngologist

Three patients presented within a 6-month period with pneumomediastinum. The underlying cause in each was distinct. One case occurred due to blunt laryngeal trauma and required urgent surgical intervention due to a decompensating airway. The second case was related to tracheal perforation secondary to a myofibroblastic tracheal tumour and the final case was related to adenovirus upper respiratory tract infection. Pneumomediastinum may be spontaneous or secondary to an underlying cause. Children should be managed using a multidisciplinary approach. Investigation and management should be influenced by clinical stability and invasive procedures should only be considered in patients who exhibit respiratory distress. Crown Copyright (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.