[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in an adolescent: an underestimated cause of chest pain].

CASE REPORT

A case of mediastinal emphysema occurring without etiologic factor except a Valsalva's manoeuvre a few hours before admission in a 15-year-old boy is reported. Symptoms were cervical and chest pain with moderate dysphagia. Diagnosis was confirmed by palpating subcutaneous air in the neck region and mediastinal air on a chest roentgenogram. A CT scan was performed to exclude a concurrent pneumothorax. The patient recovered with bed rest.

CONCLUSION

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum results from nontraumatic, mediastinal air leakage without underlying lung disease. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chest pain, especially in healthy adolescents and young adults; it is certainly underdiagnosed in this population.