Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: a rare cause of dyspnea

In this report, we present the case of an 18-year-old male with dyspnea and thoracic pain since 1 day. Investigation revealed the presence of a pneumomediastinum without apparent aetiology. He had an uneventful recovery after a short observation. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is defined as presence of air in the mediastinum in the absence of traumatic, infectious or iatrogenic cause. It is a rare cause of acute chest pain and dyspnea, yet it is a benign condition with an excellent prognosis and low recurrence rates.