children s health issues
Pneumothorax in the Newborn
Other air leak syndromes
Air can leak out of the lungs and into other tissues. These disorders are called air-leak syndromes. Air that leaks from the lungs into the tissues in the center of the chest is called Pneumomediastinum . Unlike pneumothorax, this condition usually does not affect breathing and does not require treatment. Pneumomediastinum is usually only discovered when the infant has a chest x-ray for an unrelated issue. Other air-leak syndromes include pulmonary interstitial emphysema (air in the tissues of the lungs between the air sacs), pneumopericardium (air in the sac around the heart), and, rarely, pneumoperitoneum (air in the abdominal cavity) and subcutaneous emphysema (air under the skin). Pneumopericardium and pneumoperitoneum are medical emergencies. Pulmonary interstitial emphysema may require changes in ventilator settings. Subcutaneous emphysema does not require additional treatment. 