A painful sneeze: spontaneous thoracic lung herniation induced by vigorous sneeze

Lung herniation, defined as the protrusion of lung tissue outside the normal boundaries of thoracic cage, is an unusual event. This most commonly occurs as a consequence of thoracic trauma. Spontaneous subtypes of lung herniation are rare with only a few cases reported in medical literature. We present a 63-year-old male who presented with spontaneously herniated lung after an episode of vigorous sneezing. The possible underlying mechanisms, important physical examination and diagnostic imaging findings, and aspects of management considerations are briefly discussed.