Spontaneous pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema: unusual complications of asthma in a 2-year-old boy
- 1 June 2006
- journal article
- case report
- Published by BMJ in Emergency Medicine Journal
- Vol. 23 (6), 466-467
- https://doi.org/10.1136/emj.2005.028829
Abstract
A 2-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with a history of sudden onset of cough, dyspnoea and a slight expiratory wheeze on the right lung base. He also had subcutaneous emphysema on the left side of the chest anteriorly. Chest x ray confirmed subcutaneous emphysema and also revealed pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium. He had had no previous episode and was not known to have asthma. He was apyrexial but had a raised white cell count. The eosinophil count was within normal limits. He was successfully treated with nebulised salbutamol, steroids, antibiotics and high flow oxygen. He made a good recovery and was discharged after 7 days. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion of asthma in very young children presenting for the first time with such complications.Keywords
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