A Case of Neonatal Pneumomediastinum with Subcutaneous Emphysema Suspected to Be Caused by Pharyngoesophageal Injury

ABSTRACT

Iatrogenic esophageal perforation is a rare condition in children, but occasionally occurs in premature infants due to repeated intubation or nasogastric tube insertion. Esophageal perforation is common in pneumothorax and interstitial emphysema, but rarely occurs in the absence of pneumothorax. Although complications, such as mediastinitis, after esophageal perforation are rare, they can be fatal. Therefore, rapid and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important. The authors report a case of huge retrocardiac pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema suspected to be caused by esophageal perforation after repeated intubation.