Hamman syndrome, also known as spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM), is a rare and often under-recognized condition characterized by the presence of free air within the mediastinum in the absence of trauma or iatrogenic causes, most commonly affecting young adults after events that increase intrathoracic pressure. We report a case of SPM in a previously healthy 19‑year‑old woman presenting with neck and chest pain after throat discomfort and repeated vomiting. Imaging confirmed extensive pneumomediastinum, and perforation was excluded. She was managed conservatively with complete recovery. This case highlights the importance of considering spontaneous pneumomediastinum in young patients presenting with neck or chest discomfort following episodes of increased intrathoracic pressure, as it can clinically mimic life‑threatening conditions such as esophageal rupture, mediastinitis, or tension pneumothorax, and underscores the role of prompt imaging in excluding life-threatening causes while guiding appropriate conservative management.
Ahmed et al. (Wed,) studied this question.