Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: A Diagnostic Challenge in a Patient Presenting With Excessive Vomiting and Neck Swelling
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Hamman's syndrome, or spontaneous pneumomediastinum, refers to free air in the mediastinum without an apparent cause and typically affects young people. This case report describes a 33-year-old man who presented with neck swelling following excessive vomiting due to alcohol consumption. Clinical examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema of the neck, and imaging confirmed pneumomediastinum. Initial suspicion of Boerhaave syndrome led to aggressive supportive management, but further imaging ruled out oesophageal perforation, confirming Hamman's syndrome. The patient was treated conservatively and discharged after a successful trial of a light diet. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of Hamman's syndrome, given that its symptoms overlap with more serious conditions like Boerhaave syndrome. Prompt recognition and appropriate conservative management are essential for favourable outcomes, emphasizing the benign and self-limiting nature of Hamman's syndrome.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.68396
Authors: Nuh Umar, Hannah Charlotte Copley, Dipankar Chattopadhyay
Institutions: Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, Bedford Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4402109644