Mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema complicating atopic asthma in infants and children. Review of the literature and report of occurrence in an infant two years of age.

Abstract

Only 20 case reports could be found in the available medical literature, for 100 years, concerning the incidence of mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema complicating childhood asthma. The pathophysiology, clinical symptomatology, experimental data and therapy of this disease are discussed. A conservative, nonsurgical approach seems indicated. One new case, the youngest reported to date, is presented in detail.