Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare and self-limiting clinical entity, often triggered by activities causing acute changes in intrathoracic pressure such as childbirth, strenuous exercise, vomiting, and coughing. We present a case of a young male soldier who developed spontaneous pneumothorax following persistent yelling while attending a soccer match. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum may be preceded by a variety of strenuous activities, and clinicians should be aware of this entity when performing the evaluation of patients with nonspecific symptoms such as chest pain and dyspnea. Patients diagnosed with pneumomediastinum but presenting with additional findings such as vomiting and pleural effusion should be thoroughly evaluated to rule out potentially life-threatening mediastinal organ injury. Return to military duty should be determined by clinical reevaluation and follow-up imaging findings.
- Membership
- Publications
- Resources
- Education
- Events
- Outreach
- Global Year
- Pain Management, Research and Education in Low- and Middle-Income Settings
- Sex and Gender Disparities in Pain
- Integrative Pain Care
- Translating Pain Knowledge to Practice
- Back Pain
- Prevention of Pain
- Pain in the Most Vulnerable
- Pain Education
- Joint Pain
- Pain After Surgery
- Global Year Campaign Archives
- My Letter to Pain
- IASP Statements
- ICD-11 Pain Classification
- Global Alliance of Partners for Pain Advocacy (GAPPA)
- National, Regional, and Global Pain Initiatives
- International Pain Summit
- Pain Awareness Month
- Global Year
- Careers
- About
- For Pain Patients and Professionals