Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: beyond the risky diving

Abstract

We read with great interest the letter from Cascais-Costa et al.1 on the risk of developing pneumomediastinum as a result of diving. The authors reviewed the medical condition along with its primary risk factors. Hyperventilation due to psychological stress is one cause that is scarcely referenced in the medical literature. We introduce a case of a patient with a leptosomal phenotype body who presents a spontaneous pneumomediastinum resulting from an anxiety crisis.