@article{ref1,
title="Pneumomediastinum after inhalation of helium gas from party balloons",
journal="Journal of emergency medicine",
year="2010",
author="Zaia, Brita E. and Wheeler, Stephen",
volume="38",
number="2",
pages="155-158",
abstract="A previously healthy 16-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Department with a 2-day history of hoarseness, sore throat, and chest tightness. The physical examination was significant for diffuse neck and chest subcutaneous emphysema. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck and chest revealed pneumomediastinum after a plain chest X-ray study failed to uncover this finding. The patient reported that 5 days before presentation he forcefully inhaled helium gas directly from multiple party balloons in an attempt to alter his voice. The patient fully recovered over the next 2 days. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum developed in this patient with no underlying lung disease, presumably from air leakage secondary to the excessive elevation of intra-thoracic pressure due to repetitive inhalation of helium gas. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum remains largely underdiagnosed clinically, especially in young, healthy patients.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0736-4679",
doi="10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.02.066",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.02.066"
}