Pneumomediastinum as a complication of athletic competition

Abstract

Pneumomediastinum in the absence of pneumothorax is frequently omitted in the differential diagnosis of retrosternal chest pain. Although a relatively uncommon entity, it occurs principally in healthy young men ad parturient women and often without apparent cause. We report two patients with radiographically evident free air in the mediastinal space related to athletic competition. To our knowledge, the only other account of sports related pneumomediastinum occurred in two students climbing Mount Rainier. Pneumomediastinum has also been associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, marihuana smoking, anorexia nervosa, bronchial asthma, and pulmonary function testing.