Neumomediastino espontáneo (síndrome de Hamman): Una enfermedad benigna mal diagnosticada

Abstract

Hamman syndrome or spontaneous pneumomediastinum is uncommon and its clinical manifestations are chest pain, dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema.To report a series of patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum.Medical records of patients with the diagnosis of pneumomediastinum, managed between 2002 and 2007 in a public hospital, were retrieved and reviewed.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. AH were managed conservatively with oxygen, analgesia and rest. No patient required surgery and the evolution was favorable.The most common presenting complaint of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is chest pain and its management does not require surgery.