[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum]

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a presence of free air in the mediastinum without previous injury and without previously known lung disease. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is infrequent and little known by physicians. Authors present a case report of three young men with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. There was no evident causation in two cases. In one case there was previous excessive sport activity. Main presenting symptoms were chest and neck pain, odynophagia, dysphonia, vomiting, and neck subcutaneous emphysema. Esophageal perforation was ruled out. All patients recovered spontaneously. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is the benign disease. Its main importace is in differential diagnosis concerning especially esophageal perforation.