Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema: A case report of rare presentations of foreign body aspiration

Pneumomediastinum (PM) is caused by alveolar rapture. If air leak persists, subcutaneous emphysema occurs. The PM and subcutaneous emphysema have various etiologies. Common causes are respiratory tract infections and asthma exacerbations. Rarely, the PM occurs secondary to foreign body aspiration, and the life-threatening complications will occur without proper treatment.

Case report: 

we report a 2.5- year- old boy who was presented with cough, fever, neck swelling and respiratory distress to Amirkola Childrenchr('39')s Hospital. On examination, he had subcutaneous emphysema (SCE) in neck and upper thorax. He had pneumomediastinum in radiography. The patient was treated with oxygen, antibiotic, and due to the suspicious history of foreign body aspiration he underwent bronchoscopy by which pieces of nuts removed from his right main bronchus.

PM and SCE are rare presentations of foreign body aspiration and in such circumstances, the possibility of foreign body should be considered.