Ultrasound guided percutaneous relief of tension pneumomediastinum in a 1-day-old newborn

In hospitalised patients, the main cause of pneumomediastinum is mechanical ventilation with high peak airway pressure and positive end expiratory pressure. 1 Although most cases of pneumomediastinum can be managed conservatively, 2 if there is continuous leakage of air in the mediastinal soft tissue, tension pneumomediastinum may occur and result in compromised venous return, which may evolve into a life-threatening condition. 1 3 4 Cases of tension pneumomediastinum relieved by using CT or fluoroscopic guidance have been reported. 1 5 In our case, we used ultrasound guidance during the procedure.