PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - C.M. Chu AU - Y.Y. Leung AU - J.Y.H. Hui AU - I.F.N. Hung AU - V.L. Chan AU - W.S. Leung AU - K.I. Law AU - C.S. Chan AU - K.S. Chan AU - K.Y. Yuen TI - Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome AID - 10.1183/09031936.04.00096404 DP - 2004 Jun 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 802--804 VI - 23 IP - 6 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/6/802.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/6/802.full SO - Eur Respir J2004 Jun 01; 23 AB - 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.