Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in a 15-Year-Old Adolescent After Unintended Overexposure to Paint Diluent (Thinner) Fumes: First Reported Case.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is the presence of air in the mediastinal interstices in the absence of any surgical or medical procedure, chest trauma, or mechanical ventilation. SPM can occur during vigorous Valsalva maneuvers, such as weight lifting, coughing fits, hyperemesis gravidarum, and so on, or during inhalation of illicit substances or toxic agents, as a result of an abrupt increase in pressure in the tracheal tree. Preexisting underlying lung disease may be a contributing factor.