Diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is not complicated

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare and usually benign finding in young male patient without a history. When subcutaneous emphysema occurs, the patient and medical physicians feel uneasy about the view of face and neck. We review our clinical experience with spontaneous pneumomediastinum in this study. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of demographic features, complaints, precipitating factors and length of hospital stay of patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Results: Fourteen patients with spontaneous mediastinum were identified, included 10 males. Mean age was 25.4 ± 8.9. Chest pain was the most common complaint. All patients underwent chest-x ray and thoracic computed tomography. Only one esophagogram was done. The patients were discharged uneventfully between 3 and 6 days (mean 3.5 ± 1.25). A 12-month follow-up revealed no recurrence of pneumomediastinum in any of the patients. Conclusions: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign entity and generally treated with conservative management. Chest-x ray and thoracic computed tomography are useful tools for diagnosis of the pneumomediastinum. Additional investigation procedures should be performed selectively.