[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Review of eight cases].
BACKGROUND
Hamman syndrome or spontaneous pneumomediastinum is uncommon and its clinical manifestations are chest pain, dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema.


OBJECTIVE
To report a series of patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum.


METHODS
Medical records of patients with the diagnosis of pneumomediastinum, managed between 2002 and 2007 in a public hospital, were retrieved and reviewed.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The most common presenting complaint of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is chest pain and its management does not require surgery.
Alvarez Z
Carlos
C
Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Chile. doctorcmaz@gmail.com
Jadue T
Andrés
A
Rojas R
Francisco
F
Cerda C
César
C
Ramírez V
Miguel
M
Cornejo S
Carlos
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult