Pharyngeal penetration complicated by pneumomediastinum and surgical emphysema: a rare pediatric case report.

ABSTRACT: Oropharyngeal injuries in young children, though common, carry the potential risk of serious complications. Here, we describe a rare case of a toddler with a minor penetrating injury in the hypopharynx leading to perforation, surgical emphysema, and pneumomediastinum. A 2-year-old boy was brought to the emergency department with noisy breathing and shortness of breath that started after a traumatic injury with a pencil in the mouth. He was found to have tachycardia, tachypnea, and grunting, but no stridor or retractions. A brief oral exam showed a blackish discoloration in the posterior pharyngeal wall, and crepitations were palpated on the neck. Imaging revealed extensive subcutaneous emphysema and a defect in the posterior oropharyngeal wall. He underwent surgical repair of the pharyngea

SUBMITTER: Al Droubi B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12669172 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature