[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Review of eight cases].

Background: Hamman syndrome or spontaneous pneumomediastinum is uncommon and its clinical manifestations are chest pain, dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema.

Aim: To report a series of patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum.

Material And Methods: Medical records of patients with the diagnosis of pneumomediastinum, managed between 2002 and 2007 in a public hospital, were retrieved and reviewed.

Results: Eight patients aged between 16 and 41 years (five males) were identified. The most common symptom was chest pain and the most common sign was subcutaneous emphysema. A chest X ray was performed in all and a chest CT scan in seven. AH were managed conservatively with oxygen, analgesia and rest. No patient required surgery and the evolution was favorable.

Conclusions: The most common presenting complaint of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is chest pain and its management does not require surgery.