title: An Unusual Association in an Uncommon Disease: Two Cases of Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Associated with Pneumorrhachis.
abstract: Pneumomediastinum, the presence of free air in the mediastinum, is described as spontaneous pneumomediastinum when there is no apparent cause such as trauma, surgery, interventional procedures, or intrathoracic infections. Pneumorrhachis is a rare clinical condition, consisting of intraspinal air. The main causes are iatrogenic, traumatic, and nontraumatic. Spontaneous mediastinum is usually associated with subcutaneous emphysema and, occasionally, with pneumothorax; however, its association with pneumorrhachis is extremely rare. Here, we present two rare cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum associated with pneumorrhachis caused by vigorous coughing.
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (CHLN), 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (CHLN), 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dionísio
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (CHLN), 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (CHLN), 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manique
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (CHLN), 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (CHLN), 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bárbara