Clinical Characteristics of Spontaneous and Recurrent Pneumomediastinum and Risk Factors of Recurrence
- 1The Graduate School of Fujian Medical University Fuzhou China fjmu.edu.cn
- 2Department of Thoracic Surgery The First Hospital of Putian City Putian China
Abstract
Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is rare, and most existing knowledge comes from small case series. Although usually benign, SPM often leads to hospital admission and substantial healthcare resource use. This study aimed to characterize SPM and recurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum (RSPM) in a large cohort and to explore factors associated with recurrence.
Methods: Patients with SPM hospitalized at Putian First Hospital between September 2011 and September 2023 were included. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. Follow‐up was performed to identify RSPM. Patients were divided into nonrecurrence and recurrence groups, and risk factors for recurrence were evaluated using univariate logistic regression.
Results: A total of 135 patients with SPM were included. Most patients were male (78.1%), with a median age of 20 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 17–32). A bimodal age distribution was observed, with peaks at 15–19 and 50–54 years. The most common symptom was chest pain (51.9%), and 54.0% of the patients had no identifiable trigger. Among the 9 patients with RSPM (6.7%), median age at recurrence was 25 years (IQR: 16–56) and median interval to recurrence was 6.5 months (range: 1–16.5). Dyspnea was the most common symptom at recurrence (66.7%), and 44.4% of the patients showed greater clinical and radiological severity than at initial presentation. Univariate analysis suggested that a history of bronchitis was associated with RSPM (OR: 11.71, 95% CI: 1.68–81.89); other potential factors included silicosis, pneumonia, and upper respiratory infection as a trigger.
Conclusion: SPM predominantly affects young males and generally follows a benign course. Although recurrence is uncommon (6.7%), it may be more severe than the initial episode in nearly half of the cases. A history of bronchitis may be associated with recurrence, but this finding is exploratory. Age‐specific preventive strategies and careful exclusion of secondary pneumomediastinum are essential.
Related
- Case Report: A rare case of spontaneous lesser omental sac hernia with pneumomediastinum
- Rapidly Recurrent Fibrous Gingival Enlargement in a Geriatric Patient: Clinical Significance of Recurrence Timing
- Chinese herbal medicine for recurrent urinary tract infection: formulation-specific clinical evidence, experimental pharmacology, and unresolved recurrence mechanisms
- Spontaneous Bilateral Vesical Artery Pseudoaneurysms Presenting With Massive Recurrent Hematuria and Obstructive Acute Kidney Injury: A Case Report
- Recurrent Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.
BibTeX
@article{huang2026clinical,
title = {{Clinical Characteristics of Spontaneous and Recurrent Pneumomediastinum and Risk Factors of Recurrence}},
author = {Chengbin Huang and Zhiyang Xu and Jianyang Wu and Junkai Xiong and Zhizhou Chen and Sheng Ouyang and Jianxin Xu and Jun Guan},
journal = {Emergency Medicine International},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/emmi/9027140},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1155/emmi/9027140},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clinical Characteristics of Spontaneous and Recurrent Pneumomediastinum and Risk Factors of Recurrence
AU - Chengbin Huang
AU - Zhiyang Xu
AU - Jianyang Wu
AU - Junkai Xiong
AU - Zhizhou Chen
AU - Sheng Ouyang
AU - Jianxin Xu
AU - Jun Guan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Emergency Medicine International
DO - 10.1155/emmi/9027140
UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/emmi/9027140
AB - Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is rare, and most existing knowledge comes from small case series. Although usually benign, SPM often leads to hospital admission and substantial healthcare resource use. This study aimed to characterize SPM and recurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum (RSPM) in a large cohort and to explore factors associated with recurrence. Methods: Patients with SPM hospitalized at Putian First Hospital between September 2011 and September 2023 were included. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. Follow‐up was performed to identify RSPM. Patients were divided into nonrecurrence and recurrence groups, and risk factors for recurrence were evaluated using univariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 135 patients with SPM were included. Most patients were male (78.1%), with a median age of 20 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 17–32). A bimodal age distribution was observed, with peaks at 15–19 and 50–54 years. The most common symptom was chest pain (51.9%), and 54.0% of the patients had no identifiable trigger. Among the 9 patients with RSPM (6.7%), median age at recurrence was 25 years (IQR: 16–56) and median interval to recurrence was 6.5 months (range: 1–16.5). Dyspnea was the most common symptom at recurrence (66.7%), and 44.4% of the patients showed greater clinical and radiological severity than at initial presentation. Univariate analysis suggested that a history of bronchitis was associated with RSPM (OR: 11.71, 95% CI: 1.68–81.89); other potential factors included silicosis, pneumonia, and upper respiratory infection as a trigger. Conclusion: SPM predominantly affects young males and generally follows a benign course. Although recurrence is uncommon (6.7%), it may be more severe than the initial episode in nearly half of the cases. A history of bronchitis may be associated with recurrence, but this finding is exploratory. Age‐specific preventive strategies and careful exclusion of secondary pneumomediastinum are essential.
SN - 2090-2840
SN - 2090-2859
ER -