Exercise-Related Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Following Ballet in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare condition characterized by the presence of free air within the mediastinum without trauma or invasive procedures. Although it is usually benign and self-limiting, it can cause acute chest pain in children. We present a 12-year-old female patient with exercise-related spontaneous pneumomediastinum whose symptoms began 3 hours after taking a ballet class focused primarily on stretching and posture. Physical examination was normal, vital signs were stable, and there was no subcutaneous crepitus. The patient was treated with analgesics and rest on an outpatient basis; complete radiographic resolution was achieved within 1 week, and symptoms completely regressed. This case report highlights that activities such as ballet can be a rare trigger for SPM, the diagnostic value of lateral radiography, and the safety of conservative management in clinically stable pediatric patients.