Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Secondary to Undiagnosed Asthma in Military Adult.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare but described complication of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), more commonly observed in children with asthma. We present a 23-year-old active duty military male and avid distance runner who developed progressive radiating retrosternal chest pain preceded by wheezing and coughing paroxysm. A chest computed tomography revealed extensive pneumomediastinum.

Comparison between cefprozil and penicillin to eradicate pharyngeal colonization of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.

Background: Our objective was to perform a prospective, randomized, double blinded study of cefprozil and penicillin therapy to eradicate group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) in children who were bacteriologic failures after receiving a standard 10-day course of penicillin treatment for GABHS pharyngitis.

Methods: Children and adolescents 2 to 18 years of age were eligible for the study. From 3 to 7 days after completing oral penicillin therapy for pharyngitis caused by GABHS, the study was explained, informed consent was obtained, a history and physical examination were completed and a throat culture was performed.