Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: Experience in 13 patients

Migaou Asma; Fahem Nesrine; Ben Saad Ahmed; Joobeur Sameh; Cheikh Mhammed Saoussen; Rouatbi Naceur

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2019.100946

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: Experience in 13 patients

Respir Med Case Rep. 2019 Oct 14:28:100946. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2019.100946. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Migaou Asma¹, Fahem Nesrine¹, Ben Saad Ahmed¹, Joobeur Sameh¹, Cheikh Mhammed Saoussen¹, Rouatbi Naceur¹

Affiliation

¹ Pneumology Department of Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia.

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare clinical entity that concerns mainly young adults. We report 13 cases (11 males/2 females) of SPM. The average age was 31 ± 0.85 years. The most common precipitating factor was asthma attack. The onset symptoms were mainly chest pain (11 cases). Synchronous pneumothorax was found in 5 cases and it was bilateral in 2 patients. The evolution was marked by the spontaneous resorption. SMP is an underrecognized cause of chest pain in young adults. Chest radiography is usually sufficient for the diagnosis, and further diagnostic procedures are generally not necessary. The prognosis is often favorable.

Publication types

Case Reports