Spontaneous pneumorrhachis, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and subcutaneous emphysema. Rare features of Hamman Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Pneumorrhachis (air within the spinal canal), Pneumomediastinum (abnormal air in the mediastinum), Pneumopericardium (air in the pericardial space), and Subcutaneous emphysema (air trapped under the skin) are rare conditions which are rare features of Hamman Syndrome. Some of pulmonary diseases that relate to pneumorrhachis have been reported in the literature; but Hamman Syndrome with Pneumorrhachis and Pneumopericardium due to violent coughs that triggered by tongue scraping are very rare.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 20-year-old male with no previous lung disease or trauma was brought to the emergency department due to acute chest pain, dyspnea, choking, syncope, and neck swelling which started after several self-induced coughs when he was brushing his tongue. Chest CT scan revealed Pneumorrhachis, pneumomediastinum, Pneumopericardium and extensive subcutaneous emphysema associated with lung contusions.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Barotrauma due to violent coughs that triggered by tongue scraping may lead to lung injury resulting in Hamman Syndrome with rare features of pneumorrhachis and Pneumopericardium. To our knowledge this is the first case report of Hamman syndrome with pneumorrhachis and Pneumopericardium secondary to tongue brushing-induced lung injury in Somalia.

CONCLUSION: Violent coughs from tongue scarping can lead to Hamman Syndrome with Pneumorrhachis and Pneumopericardium.