A Rare Presentation of Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Mimicking Bilateral Parotitis

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon clinical form of pneumomediastinum with norelationship to trauma or surgical procedures. Head and neck manifestations are predominant andmay be confused with symptoms of acute parotitis. We report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum mimicking bilateral parotitis in a 23-year-old male patient. The symptoms and fidings,swelling, and pain, secondary to air passing through the deep fascial planes in the head and neckregion, were dominant at the beginning of clinical history. The aim of this case report was to outlinethe risk of misdiagnosing spontaneous pneumomediastinum as an acute parotitis.