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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. In the present case, we report for the first time an SPM due to accidental overexposure to paint thinner in a 15-year-old male from a low-income rural family. He was offered a job painting the inside of a house, which he accepted to earn some money for the family household. However, due to his inexperience, he overdosed on a can of paint with thinner. About 2 h after starting work, he began to feel increasingly severe chest pain and had to be rushed to the local level one basic hospital by his parents. Physical examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema over the supraclavicular area and crackles in the precordial area. Chest radiographs showed a pneumomediastinum. In retrospect, the patient denied coughing or sneezing attacks after exposure. He was transferred to a regional tertiary hospital for further diagnostic evaluation to rule out airway/esophageal perforation. Chest computed tomography confirmed underlying SPM and subcutaneous emphysema. The oesophagogram and bronchoscopy were unremarkable. SPM, possibly secondary to overexposure to thinner vapors, a hydrocarbon-based compound, was the final diagnosis. The patient was discharged asymptomatic on day 5.

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Introducción: la forma más frecuente del síndrome de fuga de aire en la crisis asmática es el neumomediastino, siendo habitualmente de curso benigno. La neumorraquis es una complicación poco descrita en la literatura. Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente de 35 años, portador de asma intermitente, y que ingresa a terapia intensiva por crisis bronco obstructiva severa, enfisema subcutáneo cervical y cara anterior de tórax. La tomografía de tórax demostró neumomediastino extenso y neumorraquis. No se documentó neumotórax ni compromiso hemodinámico por la crisis. Presentó evolución satisfactoria con ventilación mecánica invasiva, broncodilatadores y corticoides sistémicos.

A case report: Pneumomediastinum is the most common form of air leak syndrome in asthmatic crisis and is usually benign in nature. Pneumorrhachis is a complication that is rarely described in the literature. We present the clinical case of a 35-year-old patient with intermittent asthma who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to a severe bronchoobstructive crisis, cervical subcutaneous emphysema, and anterior chest wall emphysema. Chest computed tomography revealed extensive pneumomediastinum and pneumorrhachis Pneumothorax or hemodynamic compromise due to the crisis was not documented. The patient showed a satisfactory outcome with invasive mechanical ventilation, bronchodilators, and systemic corticosteroids.

Relato de caso: O pneumomediastino é a forma mais comum de síndrome de presença de ar no mediastino em crises de asma, geralmente com curso benigno. A pneumorráquis é uma complicação raramente descrita na literatura. Apresentamos o caso clínico de um paciente de 35 anos, com asma intermitente, admitido na Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos por crise bronco-obstrutiva grave, enfisema subcutâneo cervical e de parede torácica anterior. A tomografia de tórax mostrou extenso pneumomediastino e pneumorraque. Não se observou pneumotórax ou comprometimento hemodinâmico devido à crise. Apresentou evolução satisfatória com ventilação mecânica invasiva, broncodilatadores e corticoides sistêmicos.

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Resumen El síndrome de Hamman, o neumomediastino es pontáneo, es la presencia de aire en mediastino en pacientes sin antecedentes de enfermedad pulmonar previa, trauma torácico o iatrogenia. Se ha descrito como una complicación rara en pacientes con neumo nía por COVID-19. Se postula que un aumento en la presión de la vía aérea asociado a daño alveolar difuso generado por el virus, producen una fuga de aire hacia el mediastino. El dolor torácico y disnea, asociado a enfisema subcutáneo, deben hacer sospechar al médico tratante. Presentamos un paciente de 79 años que du rante su internación por neumonía secundaria al virus SARS-CoV-2 evolucionó súbitamente con disnea, dolor torácico, accesos de tos y broncoespasmo con hallaz go de neumomediastino espontáneo en la tomografía de tórax. Evolucionó favorablemente con tratamiento broncodilatador y oxigenoterapia. El síndrome de Ham man es una causa poco frecuente de progresión de insuficiencia respiratoria en pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19. Su identificación es crucial para imple mentar el tratamiento adecuado.

Abstract Hamman's syndrome, or spontaneous pneumome diastinum, is the presence of air in the mediastinum without a history of previous pulmonary pathology, chest trauma or iatrogenesis. It has been described as a rare complication in patients with COVID-19 pneu monia. It is postulated that an increase in airway pres sure associated with diffuse alveolar damage caused by the virus produces an air leak into the mediastinum. Chest pain and dyspnea associated with subcutaneous emphysema should make the treating physician suspi cious. We introduce a 79-year-old patient who, during hospitalization for pneumonia secondary to COVID-19, suddenly developed dyspnea, chest pain, coughing spells and bronchospasm with the discovery of spontaneous pneumomediastinum on chest tomography. He evolved favorably with bronchodilator treatment and temporary oxygen therapy. Hamman's syndrome is a rare cause of respiratory failure progression in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Its recognition is crucial to implement the appropriate treatment.

RESUMO

Hamman's syndrome, or spontaneous pneumomediastinum, is the presence of air in the mediastinum without a history of previous pulmonary pathology, chest trauma or iatrogenesis. It has been described as a rare complication in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. It is postulated that an increase in airway pressure associated with diffuse alveolar damage caused by the virus produces an air leak into the mediastinum. Chest pain and dyspnea associated with subcutaneous emphysema should make the treating physician suspicious. We introduce a 79-year-old patient who, during hospitalization for pneumonia secondary to COVID-19, suddenly developed dyspnea, chest pain, coughing spells and bronchospasm with the discovery of spontaneous pneumomediastinum on chest tomography. He evolved favorably with bronchodilator treatment and temporary oxygen therapy. Hamman's syndrome is a rare cause of respiratory failure progression in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Its recognition is crucial to implement the appropriate treatment.

El síndrome de Hamman, o neumomediastino espontáneo, es la presencia de aire en mediastino en pacientes sin antecedentes de enfermedad pulmonar previa, trauma torácico o iatrogenia. Se ha descrito como una complicación rara en pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19. Se postula que un aumento en la presión de la vía aérea asociado a daño alveolar difuso generado por el virus, producen una fuga de aire hacia el mediastino. El dolor torácico y disnea, asociado a enfisema subcutáneo, deben hacer sospechar al médico tratante. Presentamos un paciente de 79 años que durante su internación por neumonía secundaria al virus SARS-CoV-2 evolucionó súbitamente con disnea, dolor torácico, accesos de tos y broncoespasmo con hallazgo de neumomediastino espontáneo en la tomografía de tórax. Evolucionó favorablemente con tratamiento broncodilatador y oxigenoterapia. El síndrome de Hamman es una causa poco frecuente de progresión de insuficiencia respiratoria en pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19. Su identificación es crucial para implementar el tratamiento adecuado.

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pneumomediastino caracteriza-se pela presença de ar no mediastino. Estudos referentes a associação dessa doença e a COVID-19 são incipientes na literatura. Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil clínico-epidemiológico dos pacientes com pneumomediastino e COVID-19 hospitalizados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva de um hospital na região Oeste do Paraná. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo, descritivo e de abordagem quantitativa. Para coleta de dados, compreendida entre os meses de março a outubro de 2021, os autores elaboram um instrumento com base na literatura. Os dados foram coletados nos prontuários eletrônicos de pacientes com diagnóstico comprovado de COVID-19 admitidos na UTI do Hospital em estudo e, armazenados em banco de dados elaborado no software Microsoft Excel®. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando-se o software RStudio® e o website Statistics Kingdom. Resultados: Foram incluídos 74 pacientes, com mediana de idade de 52 anos (38-67). Pneumomediastino foi diagnosticado em cinco pacientes (6,76%). Houve maior prevalência de enfisema subcutâneo (p=2,903E-04), bem como maior frequência respiratória em ventilação mecânica invasiva (p=8,875E-04) em pacientes com diagnóstico de pneumomediastino. Considerações finais: Apesar de não ser uma complicação comum da COVID-19, pacientes com pneumomediastino foram associados a uma maior ocorrência de enfisema subcutâneo, fato que pode levar a um pior prognóstico.

Pneumomediastinum is characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinum. Studies regarding the association of this disease and COVID-19 are incipient in the literature. Objective: To characterize the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients with pneumomediastinum and COVID-19 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in the western region of Paraná. Methodology: Cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive and quantitative study. For data collection, from March to October 2021, the authors developed an instrument based on the literature. Data were collected from the electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 treated at the ICU of the Hospital under study and stored in a database created using Microsoft Excel® software. Statistical analyzes were performed using RStudio® software and the Statistics Kingdom website. Results: We included 74 patients, with a median age of 52 years (38-67). Pneumomediastinum was diagnosed in five patients (6.76%). There was a higher prevalence of subcutaneous emphysema (p=2.903E-04), as well as a higher respiratory rate in invasive mechanical ventilation (p=8.875E-04) in patients diagnosed with pneumomediastinum. Final considerations: Although it is not a common feeling of COVID-19, patients with pneumomediastinum were associated with a higher occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema, a fact that can lead to a worse prognosis.

El neumomediastino se caracteriza por la presencia de aire en el mediastino. Los estudios sobre la asociación de esta enfermedad y la COVID-19 son incipientes en la literatura. Objetivo: Caracterizar el perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes con neu- momediastino y COVID-19 ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos de un hos- pital de la región oeste de Paraná. Metodología: Estudio transversal, retrospectivo, des- criptivo y cuantitativo. Para la recolección de datos, de marzo a octubre de 2021, los autores desarrollaron un instrumento basado en la literatura. Los datos fueron recolecta- dos de las historias clínicas electrónicas de pacientes diagnosticados con COVID-19 aten- didos en la UTI del Hospital en estudio y almacenados en una base de datos creada con el software Microsoft Excel®. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron utilizando el sof- tware RStudio® y el sitio web de Statistics Kingdom. Resultados: Se incluyeron 74 paci- entes, con una mediana de edad de 52 años (38-67). Se diagnosticó neumomediastino en cinco pacientes (6,76%). Hubo mayor prevalencia de enfisema subcutáneo (p=2,903E- 04), así como mayor frecuencia respiratoria en ventilación mecánica invasiva (p=8,875E- 04) en pacientes con diagnóstico de neumomediastino. Consideraciones finales: Aunque no es una sensación común de COVID-19, los pacientes con neumomediastino se asoci- aron con una mayor ocurrencia de enfisema subcutáneo, hecho que puede conducir a un peor pronóstico.

RESUMO

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is characterized by the accumulation of air in the mediastinum with no identified cause. It is a rare and self-limiting condition. We report the case of a 32-year-old female patient with controlled bronchial asthma, who presented with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, with no precipitating event. The evolution is generally benign and the treatment is conservative. Symptomatic medication may be instituted.

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Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of viral pneumonias. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reports of SARS-CoV-2 related pneumomediastinum have increased. This type of pneumomediastinum is known as "spontaneous" pneumomediastinum. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is defined as the presence of air in the mediastinal cavity with no apparent cause, but paradoxically, the group termed "spontaneous" is the one with the greatest trigger. Therefore, we believe that the current classification does not coincide with the definition. We present five SARS-CoV-2 pneumomediastinum cases and propose a pneumomediastinum classification. These are the first published reports in our country. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2252).

El neumomediastino es una complicación poco frecuente de las neumonías virales; sin embargo, a raíz de la pandemia de la COVID-19, los informes de casos de neumomediastino por SARS-CoV-2 se han incrementado. A este tipo de neumomediastino se le denomina espontáneo. Se define como neumomediastino espontáneo a la presencia de aire en la cavidad mediastínica sin ninguna causa aparente, pero paradójicamente, el grupo denominado espontáneo es el que tiene mayor causa desencadenante, por lo tanto, creemos que la clasificación actual no es coherente con el significado. Presentamos cinco casos de neumomediastino por SARS-CoV-2 y proponemos una clasificación para el neumomediastino. Estos son los primeros informes publicados en nuestro país. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2252).

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SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) disease is an infection caused by a new emerging coronavirus, the most common clinical manifestations include fever, dry cough, dyspnea, chest pain, fatigue, and myalgia, sometimes it may present with atypical manifestations such as spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum that occur in a minority of patients. We report a case of spontaneous pneumopericardium in a 60-year-old male, without comorbidities or a history of trauma, with pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2.

La enfermedad por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) es una infección causada por un nuevo coronavirus emergente. Las manifestaciones clínicas más comunes incluyen fiebre, tos seca, disnea, dolor de pecho, fatiga y mialgias. En ocasiones puede presentarse con manifestaciones atípicas, como neumotórax espontáneo y neumomediastino, que ocurren en una minoría de pacientes. Reportamos un caso de neumopericardio espontáneo en un varón de 60 años, sin comorbilidad ni antecedente de traumatismo, con neumonía por SARS-CoV-2.

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Several alterations that, due to their pathophysiology, are collectively classified as "air leaks", have been rare complications of COVID-19 pneumonia. In the context of infection by SARS-CoV-2, the debate arises as to whether these are classified as spontaneous or secondary, since the multiple mechanisms of pulmonary structural damage that COVID-19 entails condition lung fragility in a patient in short time. For the above, we presents the case of a 36-year-old female patient with COVID-19 complicated with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in order to illustrate and discuss these complications.

Diversas alteraciones que, por su fisiopatología, son clasificadas en conjunto como «fugas de aire¼, han sido complicaciones raras de la neumonía por COVID-19. Respecto a la infección por SARS-CoV-2, se plantea el debate de si estas se clasifican como espontáneas o secundarias, ya que los múltiples mecanismos de daño estructural pulmonar que conlleva la COVID-19 condicionan fragilidad pulmonar en corto lapso. Por lo anterior, se expone el caso de una paciente de 36 años con COVID-19 complicada con neumomediastino y enfisema subcutáneo con el objetivo de ilustrar y discutir dichas complicaciones.

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RESUMEN Introducción: el neumomediastino es la presencia de aire en el espacio mediastinal procedente de bronquios, alvéolos o de una ruptura esofágica, que viaja a través de las vainas vasculares y los planos tisulares hacia el espacio mediastinal; puede ser categorizado como espontáneo, traumático o secundario. Objetivo: describir un paciente con neumomediastino secundario al efecto Macklin. Caso clínico: se trata de un paciente masculino de 32 años sin antecedentes médicos, que acude a urgencias refiriendo tos seca, dolor de garganta, dolor al ingerir alimentos, malestar general, dolores articulares a predominio de rodillas y espalda baja y fiebre de 39°C acompañada de escalofríos. El día posterior a su ingreso, tras un acceso de tos, presenta de forma súbita aumento de volumen del cuello y porción superior del tórax, acompañado de dolor en dicha zona, dificultad para respirar y hablar. Al examen en este momento se constata aumento de volumen y crepitación en cuello, fosa supraclavicular, y porción anterosuperior y posterosuperior del tórax (enfisema subcutáneo) así como estertores roncos y sibilantes diseminados en ambos campos pulmonares. Se realiza radiografía de tórax de urgencia que muestra signos sugestivos de enfisema subcutáneo y neumomediastino. Se solicita valoración por servicio de cirugía General y otorrino, los cuales sugieren tratamiento conservador. Conlusiones: el neumomediastino es una enfermedad poco frecuente y benigna, sus características clínicas son dolor torácico y enfisema subcutáneo luego de un acceso de tos y evoluciona de forma satisfactoria entre dos y 15 días.

ABSTRACT Introduction: pneumomediastinum is the presence of air in the mediastinal space coming from bronchi, alveoli or esophageal rupture, which travels through vascular sheaths and tissue planes to the mediastinal space; it can be categorized as spontaneous, traumatic or secondary. Objective: to describe a patient with pneumomediastinum secondary to the Macklin effect. Case report: a 32-year-old male patient with no medical history came to the emergency room with a dry cough, sore throat, pain when eating and general malaise, joint pain predominantly in the knees and lower back, and fever of 39°C with chills. The day after his admission, after an attack of coughing, he suddenly presented an increase in volume of the neck and upper chest, accompanied by pain in this area, difficulty in breathing and speaking. On examination at this time, there was an increase in volume and crepitus in the neck, supraclavicular fossa, and anterosuperior and posterosuperior portion of the thorax (subcutaneous emphysema) as well as hoarse and wheezing rales disseminated in both lung fields. An emergency chest X-ray was performed showing signs suggestive of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. An evaluation by the General Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology Departments was requested, which suggested conservative treatment. Conclusions: pneumomediastinum is a rare and benign disease, its clinical characteristics are chest pain and subcutaneous emphysema after a coughing fit and it evolves satisfactorily between 2 and 15 days.