[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in young adults: a benign clinical entity]. / Pneumomédiastin spontané du jeune adulte: une entité clinique bénigne.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a little known cause of chest pain in young adults. The prognosis is invariably good. CASE REPORT The authors report two cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum with different aetiologies developing in young adults. The first occurred during strenuous sport and the second during an asthma attack. CONCLUSION: The discussion stresses the frequency of this condition in young men, its pathogenesis and natural history. In particular the authors draw on the current scientific data to explain the absence of predisposing factors and the extreme rarity of relapse of this benign disorder. Poor acquaintance with this clinical entity may lead to unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic actions. The authors suggest a guideline for the management of this disorder.