Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in an Adolescent Soccer Player

• Main Author: Akinori Kobayakawa, Hideki Hiraiwa, Shinya Ishizuka, Satoshi Yamashita, Hiroki Oba, Yusuke Kawamura, Takefumi Sakaguchi, Masaru Idota, Takahiro Haga, Takafumi Mizuno, Itaru Kawashima, Kanae Kuriyama, Shiro Imagama
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Uludag 2021-03-01
• Series: Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
• Subjects: spontaneous pneumomediastinum; adolescent; sports; chest pain; free air
• Online Access: https://www.jssm.org/jssm-20-52.xml%3EFulltext

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is an uncommon and usually benign self-limiting clinical disorder found in young people, often without apparent precipitating factors or diseases. A pressure gradient exists between the peripheral pulmonary alveoli and the hilum, and increased intra-alveolar pressure causes rupture of the terminal alveoli. We present the case of a 15-year-old male soccer player who presented with a complaint of anterior chest pain and dysphagia after stopping the strong ball with his chest. His symptom gradually progressed over hours. We can make the diagnosis of SPM using by chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scanning. His symptoms were gradually resolved over the course of approximately one week with no exercise and careful observation. We believe that our case provides very useful information to alert clinicians and coaches regarding this rare disease that may occur in anyone including adolescent soccer players.