title: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: a report of 2 cases.
abstract: We report 2 cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) with clinical presentations similar to pericarditis, including positional chest pain, tachycardia, a precordial rub, and electrocardiographic changes. Chest radiography is the most commonly used imaging modality for diagnosis, but the findings may be subtle. In select patients, a more extensive diagnostic approach is warranted. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is self-limiting, and the risk of recurrence is negligible. These cases serve to illustrate the need to include spontaneous pneumomediastinum in the differential diagnosis of pericarditis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, PO Box 1228, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. alexerdoc@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alexandr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rafailov
authors.forename: Jennifer H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*