Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
Published on: January 23, 2026
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: Experience in 13 adult patients
Manoj K Panigrahi1, Cherlopalli Suresh Kumar2, Venugopal Jaganathan2
1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India panigrahimanoj75@gmail.com.
Insights
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is generally benign, but underlying lung conditions like post-tubercular disease can complicate it. This study details its clinical profile and outcomes in India.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Thoracic Medicine
- Critical Care
Background:
- Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is rare, with limited data specific to India.
- Understanding SPM's clinical presentation, hospital course, and long-term outcomes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics, hospital course, and long-term outcomes of spontaneous pneumomediastinum patients in India.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients aged 15 years and above diagnosed with SPM.
- Data collected over a 7-year period (from 2005) at a tertiary care hospital.
Main Results:
- 13 SPM cases identified (0.39% of hospitalizations), median age 37 years.
- Dyspnea, neck swelling, and chest pain were common symptoms; 85% had subcutaneous emphysema and pre-existing lung disease.
- Pneumothorax occurred in 46% of patients; post-tubercular sequelae and asthma were frequent underlying conditions.
Conclusions:
- Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is typically benign, but complications arise from underlying lung diseases and pneumothorax.
- Exacerbation of post-tubercular obstructive airway disease is a significant risk factor in tuberculosis-endemic regions.
Background:
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon disorder. There is a lack of information on spontaneous pneumomediastinum in India. We aimed to understand the clinical profile, hospital course, and long-term outcome of such patients.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed all patients (aged ≥15 years) diagnosed with spontaneous pneumomediastinum in the respiratory ward of a tertiary care hospital over a 7-year period from 2005.
Results:
Of the 3326 patients hospitalized during the study period, 13 (10 male) were diagnosed with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, constituting 0.39% of all hospitalizations. The median age was 37 years (interquartile range 20-55 years). The most common presenting symptom was dyspnea in 85% followed by neck swelling (69%), chest pain (69%) and cough (54%). Subcutaneous emphysema and preexisting lung diseases were identified in 11 (85%) patients each. Post-tubercular pulmonary sequelae (5 patients) and asthma (4 patients) were the most common underlying lung diseases. Pneumothorax was identified in 6 (46%) patients; 4 required tube thoracostomy. Chest radiography was diagnostic in 92% of patients. The median length of hospital stay was 9 days (interquartile range 6-12 days). No recurrence was reported in 11 patients followed up for a median of 1550 days (interquartile range 691-1909 days).
Conclusions:
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign disorder, but underlying lung diseases and concomitant pneumothorax are likely to complicate the disease course. Exacerbation of post-tubercular obstructive airway disease is a common risk factor for spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a tuberculosis endemic country.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
01:26Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include: