A recurrent case of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema

Abstract

Spontaneous mediastinal emphysema is a rare condition that primarily occurs in young, thin, healthy adults. It is rare for cases of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema to recur. Recently, we experienced a recurrent case of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema. A 17-year-old boy came to our hospital complaining of chest pain and dyspnea. His chest computed tomography (CT) showed mediastinal emphysema with cervical emphysema. He was hospitalized and treated with bed rest and antibiotics to prevent infection. Mediastinal air resolved completely after 6 days of hospitalization. Seven weeks following the first episode of spontaneous mediastinal emphysema, the patient was readmitted with a second episode of cervical pain. He was hospitalized again and treated with bed rest and antibiotics to prevent infection. Mediastinal air resolved completely after 4 days of hospitalization. Recurrent spontaneous mediastinal emphysema has been documented only in our patient and 6 others in Japan.