Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum as the presenting sign of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Authors

  • Ângela Pereira Pediatric Service of Hospital de Braga
  • Catarina Faria Pediatric Service of Hospital de Braga
  • Susana Carvalho Unidade de Adolescentes, Serviço de Pediatria, Hospital de Braga
  • Teresa Pontes Adolescents Unit of Pediatric Service of Hospital de Braga
  • Ana Antunes Unidade de Adolescentes, Serviço de Pediatria, Hospital de Braga
  • Henedina Antunes Pediatric Service of Hospital de Braga; Instituto de Investigação em Ciências da Vida e Saúde; Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Minho; Laboratório Associado ICVS/3B’s
  • Sofia Martins Adolescents Unit of Pediatric Service of Hospital de Braga

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v24.i4.8485

Keywords:

chest pain, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema

Abstract

Introduction: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP) results from nontraumatic mediastinal air leakage. It is uncommon in children requiring a high index of suspicion.

Case Report: A 17-year-old tall thin boy, light smoker, with no history of trauma or lung disease presented to our emergency room with symptoms dominated by chest pain and mild dyspnea. He reported a violent cough event in the previous hours. Pneumomediastinum was suspected considering the presence of subcutaneous air in the supraclavicular region, and was confirmed by chest radiograph, which showed mediastinal air. Serology study was positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and therefore a macrolide was added to symptomatic treatment, with a complete recovery.

Discussion/Conclusion: SP is a diagnosis to consider when facing an adolescent with acute chest pain. This condition is possibly underdiagnosed, given its benign course and mild symptoms. Smoking acts as a predisposing factor. SP has only exceptionally been described in Mycoplasma infection.

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References

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Published

2015-12-15

How to Cite

1.
Pereira Ângela, Faria C, Carvalho S, Pontes T, Antunes A, Antunes H, Martins S. Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum as the presenting sign of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. REVNEC [Internet]. 2015Dec.15 [cited 2025Feb.1];24(4):174-8. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/8485

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 4 (2015)

Section

Case Reports

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