%0 Journal Article %A C.M. Chu %A Y.Y. Leung %A J.Y.H. Hui %A I.F.N. Hung %A V.L. Chan %A W.S. Leung %A K.I. Law %A C.S. Chan %A K.S. Chan %A K.Y. Yuen %T Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome %D 2004 %R 10.1183/09031936.04.00096404 %J European Respiratory Journal %P 802-804 %V 23 %N 6 %X Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP) unrelated to assisted ventilation is a newly recognised complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The objective of the present study was to examine the incidence, risk factors and the outcomes of SP in a cohort of SARS victims from a community outbreak. Data were retrieved from a prospectively collected database of virologically confirmed SARS patients. One hundred and twelve cases were analysable, with 13 patients developing SP (11.6%) at a mean±sd of 19.6±4.6 days from symptom onset. Peak lactate dehydrogenase level was associated with the development of SP. SP was associated with increased intubation and a trend towards death. Drainage was required in five cases. For patients who survived, the SP and/or the associated pneumothoraces took a median of 28 days (interquartile range: 15–45 days) to resolve completely. In conclusion, spontaneous pneumomediastinum appeared to be a frequent complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Further research is needed to investigate its pathogenesis. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/23/6/802.full.pdf