Percutaneous relief of tension pneumomediastinum in a child

• Published in: Cardiovascular and interventional radiology Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 561 - 563
• Main Authors: CHAU, Helen Hoi-Lun, KWOK, Philip Chong-Hei, LAI, Albert Kwok-Hung, TSZ WO FAN, CHAN, Susan Chi-Hum, TING YAT MIU, CHAN, Grace Lai-Har
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.11.2003; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Child, Preschool; CHILDREN; Drainage - instrumentation; Drainage - methods; Female; Fluoroscopy; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); LUNGS; Mediastinal Emphysema - diagnostic imaging; Mediastinal Emphysema - therapy; Medical sciences; PATIENTS; RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES; SURGERY; Treatment Outcome; VALVES; VASCULAR DISEASES; Human; Nuclear medicine; Pneumomediastinum-Fluoroscopy-Drainage; Respiratory disease; Tension; Circulatory system; Cardiology; Child; Pneumomediastinum; Percutaneous route
• ISSN: 0174-1551; 1432-086X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00270-003-2640-y

The purpose of this article was to describe the experience of relieving tension pneumomediastinum by a fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous method. We inserted a percutaneous drainage catheter with a Heimlich valve under fluoroscopic guidance to relieve the tension pneumomediastinum in a 2-year-old girl who suffered from dermatomyositis with lung involvement. This allowed immediate relief without the need for surgery. The procedure was repeated for relapsed tension pneumomediastinum. Good immediate results were achieved in each attempt. We conclude that percutaneous relief of pneumomediastinum under fluoroscopic guidance can be performed safely and rapidly in patients not fit for surgery.