Milnor burns and pneumatocoeles: a case report

Minor burns in children need to be cautiously managed as they may manifest with life threatening complications especially in the presence of staphyloc occal infection. A one and a half year old child with minor burns (12% TBSA ), who developed large pneumatocoeles and peumomediastinum following Staphy lococcus aureus pneumonia causing severe respiratory distress and needing v entilatory support is presented. Most of the pneumatocoeles were spontaneou sly absorbed over a period of 10 days while surgical interference was being contemplated. A conservative approach to pneumatocoeles as in non-burn pat ients may help prevent unnecessary surgery. An extensive English literature search (since 1966) did not reveal any report of pneumatocoeles in associa tion with burns and therefore we believe this to be the first report of its kind. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.