Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: A Case Report of a Patient with Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Introduction: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is defined as the presence of open air in the mediastinum in the absence of an identifiable cause, it can occur in any age group and in both genders, becoming a reason for consultation in the first care level. Clinical case: Seventeen-year-old male patient with pathological history of bronchial asthma since five years of age, starts suffering with an intermittent cough without expectoration, not cyanotic, not emetic, and not spastic. After exposure to dust there is exacerbation of the symptoms with coughing spells, spastic and chest pain to inhalation. The computerized axial tomography of the chest for lung reports pneumomediastinum that is dissected all its way, from the apical region to the mediastinal base. Conclusion: It is important for the Family Physician to identify the risk factors and comorbidities that could become conditional on spontaneous pneumomediastinum, because early diagnosis and high clinical suspicion decreases the risk of complications with a favorable outcome for the patient.