Spontaneous retropharyngeal and mediastinal emphysema: case report

We report the case of an uncommon pathological condition affecting a previously healthy 14-year-old boy, who came to the Emergency Room because of sudden, acute lateral-cervical neck pain not related to any other symptom, disease, traumatic event or dangerous behaviour. The diagnosis of spontaneous retropharyngeal and upper mediastinal emphysema was made by means of neck X-ray and neck and thorax CT scan, while the X-ray of the upper digestive tract and the fiberoptic laryngoscopy did not detect any oesophageal fistula or lesions of the pharynx and larynx. Antibiotics and only fluids intake in order to avoid more dangerous complications was the unique successful treatment; in 3 days time the boy was completely pain-free and back to normal activities