TY - JOUR T1 - Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J SP - 802 LP - 804 DO - 10.1183/09031936.04.00096404 VL - 23 IS - 6 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 Y1 - 2004/06/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/23/6/802.abstract N2 - 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. ER -