Spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Review of eight cases

Background: Hamman syndrome or spontaneous pneumomediastinum is uncommon and its clinical manifestations are chest pain, dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema. Aim: To report a series of patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Material and methods: Medical records of patients with the diagnosis managed between 2002 and 2007 in a public hospital, were retrieved and reviewed. Results: Eight patients aged between 16 and 41 years (five males) were identified. The most common symptom was chest pain and the most common sign was subcutaneous emphysema. A chest X ray was performed in all and a chest CT scan in seven. All were managed conservatively with oxygen, ana analgesia and rest. No patient required surgery and the evolution was favourable. Conclusions: The most common presenting complaint of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is chest pain and its management does not require surgery (Rev Med Chile 2009: 137: 1045-50).