Traumatic asphyxia with a “masque ecchymotique” in a 14-year-old adolescent

Traumatic asphyxia, which is manifested by facial edema, cyanosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and petechiae on the upper chest and abdomen, is a very rare clinical syndrome in children. In adults, the incidence of traumatic asphyxia was reported as 1 case/18,500 accidents, but the actual incidence is not known for pediatric population. Traumatic asphyxia is a mechanical cause of hypoxia resulting from sudden compression of the thoracic-abdominal region and the valsalva maneuver is necessary for the development of this syndrome. Here, we describe a case of traumatic asphyxia with an ecchymotic mask in a 14-year-old boy who was referred to our pediatric emergency department.