Title
Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum is Not Associated With Esophageal Perforation: Results From a Retrospective, Case-Control Study in a Pediatric Population.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-23-2023
Publication Title
Clinical pediatrics
Abstract
What is the optimal management of spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) and is there a risk of esophageal perforation in patients with SPM? We performed a retrospective case-control study of children through age 21, diagnosed with SPM in one hospital system over 10 years with the primary aim of describing the diagnostic workup, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that SPM is a self-limited disease and is not associated with esophageal injury. Cases were identified using International Classification of Disease codes and excluded for trauma or severe infections. Median age was 16 years, 66% were male (n = 179). Chest radiography was performed in 97%, chest computed tomography (CT) in 33%, and esophagrams in 26%. Follow-up imaging showed resolution in 83% (mean = 17.2 days). SPM was not associated with esophageal perforation. We recommend avoiding CT scans and esophagrams unless there is discrete esophageal concern. Management of SPM should be guided by symptomatology.
Volume
Online ahead of print.
First Page
99228231166997
Last Page
99228231166997
Recommended Citation
Roby K, Barkach C, Studzinski D, Novotny N, Akay B, Brahmamdam P. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is not associated with esophageal perforation: results from a retrospective, case-control study in a pediatric population. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2023 Apr 23:99228231166997. doi: 10.1177/00099228231166997. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37089060.
DOI
10.1177/00099228231166997
ISSN
1938-2707
PubMed ID
37089060