Spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
A male furniture removalist, 23 years of age, presented to his local doctor with neck swelling. He had an upper respiratory tract infection 2 weeks previously and was prescribed a course of oral antibiotics. He had returned to work 3 days before his presentation and described an episode of sudden onset, sharp, central chest pain while lifting a heavy object. The chest pain subsided within hours but he noticed a neck swelling at the onset of the pain, which has persisted. He pointed to a visible swelling on both sides of the posterior triangle of his neck. The swelling has persisted unchanged for the past 3 days. He smokes but has no other significant past medical history.
Chung
Steven
S
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales. stev78@optusnet.com.au
Morgan
Lucy
L
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult