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Case Reports
. 2001 Sep;16(3):205-9.
doi: 10.3904/kjim.2001.16.3.205.

A case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a young adult

Y J Lee  1 , S W Jin, S H Jang, Y S Jang, E K Lee, Y J Kim, M Y Lee, J C Park, T H Rho, J H Kim, S J Hong, K B Choi
Affiliations
Case Reports

A case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a young adult

Y J Lee et al. Korean J Intern Med. 2001 Sep.

Abstract

Spontaneous medialstinal emphysema (pneumomediastinum) and pneumopericardium may be defined as the presence of free air or gas in the mediastinal structures and in the pericardial sac without an apparent precipitating cause. It most frequently occurs in young healthy adults without serious underlying pulmonary disease. Although pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium is often asymptomatic, it may cause pain in the neck and chest, dysphonia and shortness of breath. Treatment is supportive unless the patient has a history of trauma from foreign body aspiration. The course of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium is usually benign and self-limited. A case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium and subcutaneous emphysema in a 20-year-old male is reported in this paper.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The radiograph of the chest (Panel A) showed pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium (arrow) but it was clear on the lung fields. The radiograph of the neck (Panel B) showed subcutaneous emphysema (arrow).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The radiograph with Gastrografin swallowing did not reveal any definite evidence of leakage from the esophagus and structural abnormalities.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The chest CT scan showed pneumomediastinum (blank arrow) and pneumopericardium (white arrow) but there was neither a definite lung lesion nor any structural abnormalities in bronchi and esophagus.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The follow-up radiograph (panel A) and CT scan (Panel B) of chest showed a complete resolution of prior pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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