SUBCUTANEOUS EMPHYSEMA AS AN UNCOMMON PRESENTATION OF CHILD-ABUSE

A case of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum as a result of child abuse is presented to add to the spectrum of findings associated with child maltreatment, This case is a reminder that although most c ases of subcutaneous emphysema resolve uneventfully, there still needs to be an aggressive search for a cause, In addition, in the pediatric age group, the history given should be carefully verified as being pl ausible because of the possibility that child abuse may be the true et iology. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.