Pneumorrhachis: An uncommon radiological entity

Abstract

Pneumorrhachis (PR) is a rare and interesting phenomenon, in which air is present within the spinal canal. The aetiologies are varied, broadly grouped as traumatic, non-traumatic or iatrogenic. Pneumorrhachis secondary to spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) and barotrauma of the lungs is uncommon and even rarer within the paediatric group. This report describes a paediatric patient presenting with a persistent cough who developed a SPM and subsequent PR.

Keywords

• pnuemorrhachis
• spontaneous pneumomediastinum
• epidural air