[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in asthma]

Abstract

A pneumomediastinum is characterized by free air within the mediastinum. In most cases it is caused by an injury of the thorax. A spontaneous pneumomediastinum (sPM) occurred without any recognizable cause. By a sudden intraalveolar hypertension (caused by cough or physical exertion) a damage of alveoli is followed by diffusion of air along the bronchovascular sheats to the mediastinal soft tissue. sPM is a rare complication of asthma especially in young men. We demonstrate a young asthmatic patient with sPM first diagnosed as an allergic reaction to draw the attention to this rare but differential diagnostic important entity. sPM is reported in connection with drug inhalation abuse as a more frequent problem within the last years.