[Spontaneous and traumatic pneumomediastinum. Analysis of 34 cases]

Pneumomediastinum (spontaneous, iatrogenic and traumatic) is a relatively uncommon infrequently reported entity. The most common cause is the rupture of marginal pulmonary alveoli, allowing bubbles of air to dissect along the vascular sheaths and connective tissue planes to the mediastinum. Rupture of the trachea or thoracic traumas are other causes of pneumomediastinum. The most common presenting complaint was retrosternal pain, dyspnea, dysphagia, weakness and neck pain. Physical finding revealed: subcutaneous emphysema extended to face, chest or neck, and Hamman's sign. Chest X-ray was made in all cases and diagnosis was completed with chest CT scan and tracheoscopy. We present our series of 34 PM between January 1.1993 to July 31.1995 and discuss about etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this entity.