title: Head and neck manifestations of spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare disease entity that often manifests localized signs in the head and neck region. The thoracic features of SPM have been well described; however, there is a paucity of information on its otolaryngological characteristics. The authors describe the clinical management among SPM patients having primarily head and neck symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series with chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 13 men and 1 woman, with a mean age of 18.8 years (range, 14-29 years). The primary initial symptoms were neck swelling (11), neck pain (10), and odynophagia (9). Neck soft tissue and chest radiography was diagnostic of SPM in all patients. Conservative treatment consisted of bed rest and analgesics, which led to rapid resolution of SPM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPM is a benign entity that responds well to conservative treatment. The results of our investigation highlight the importance of an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinical examination as a guide for diagnosing SPM because of the high percentage of ENT manifestations in the initial clinical profiles. Secondary causes of SPM must be ruled out to avoid an unfavorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Leh-Kiong
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Huon
authors.forename: Yen-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Pa-Chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Po-Yueh
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D009333:Neck; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult