[Etiological, clinical and roentgenological aspects of mediastinal emphysema in children and adolescents].

The authors publish 8 cases of emphysema of the mediastinum in childhood and adolescence. The aetiologic variety and the radiologic symptoms are presented. Chronic diseases of the lungs and the respiratory tract, injuries of the thorax or iatrogenic genesis are the cause of emphysema. The spontaneous emphysema of the mediastinum is rare in childhood and adolescence.