An unusual case of mediastinal mass in a child presenting with pneumomediastinum and air dissection in soft tissues

Abstract Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema can occur due to various reasons but spontaneous occurrence is rare. This rare condition can occur due to a number of traumatic and non-traumatic causes. Neoplastic lesions causing pneumomediastinum are exceedingly rare. We present such a case in a child where mediastinal mass caused non-traumatic pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, subcutaneous and retroperitoneal emphysema. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of mediastinal mass resulting in spontaneous air leak.