title: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum associated with sex.
abstract: We present a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) associated with sex. A 22-year-old lesbian with a history of asthma, cigarette and illicit drug smoking was diagnosed with a SPM after developing chest pain and dyspnoea in the context of performing oral sex. The main finding was subcutaneous emphysema involving the neck. SPM is an important differential diagnosis for chest pain in young people. It is a benign condition and diagnosis mainly limited to chest X-ray with increased incidence in asthmatics, smokers and drug addicts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, 3065, Australia.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flatman
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Maqsood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elahi