Citation

Vanzo V, Bugin S, Snijders D, Bottecchia L, Storer V, Barbato A. J. Athl. Train. 2013; 48(2): 277-281.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, National Athletic Trainers' Association (USA))

DOI

10.4085/1062-6050-48.1.11

PMID

23672393

PMCID

PMC3600931

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium are rare occurrences in young athletes, but they can result in potentially life-threatening consequences.

BACKGROUND: While involved in a rugby match, an 11-year-old boy received a chest compression by 3 players during a tackle. He continued to play, but 2 hours later, he developed sharp retrosternal chest pain. A chest radiograph and an echocardiograph at the nearest emergency department showed pneumopericardium and pneumomediastinum. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Sternal and rib contusions, rib fractures, heartburn, acute asthma exacerbation, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumothorax, traumatic tracheal rupture, myocardial infarction, and costochondritis (Tietze syndrome). TREATMENT: Acetaminophen for pain control. UNIQUENESS: To our knowledge, this is the only case in the international literature of the simultaneous occurrence of pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a child as a consequence of blunt chest trauma during a rugby match.

CONCLUSIONS: Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium may be consequences of rugby blunt chest trauma. Symptoms can appear 1 to 2 hours later, and the conditions may result in serious complications. Immediate admission to the emergency department is required.

Language: en