Posttraumatic pneumomediastinum: not always cause for alarm

A case of pneumomediastinum following a minor blunt thoracic trauma is presented. As no underlying organic lesion could be found, the pathophysiology must have been that of a spontaneous pneumomediastinum, i.e. alveolar rupture with subsequent dissection of air along the bronchovascular sheats to the mediastinum. The pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of the spontaneous pneumomediastinum are discussed. With regard to the treatment it seems most important not to be too aggressive, because spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign and self-limiting condition. Spontaneous regression within a week can be expected.