Hamman Syndrome and the importance of asthma control: case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Hamman syndrome is a condition that affects 1 in every 25,000 people, between 5 and 34 years of age, the majority of whom are male (70%) and have a long body type. Its clinical repercussions can compromise the patients quality of life, making it necessary for them to be aware of and adopt preventive measures. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case report on Hamman syndrome and its correlation with asthma, as well as the importance of therapeutic adherence and knowledge among health professionals. CASE REPORT: preschooler, male, white, with BMI of 20.5 kg/m2, was admitted to the service with an asthma attack for 5 days, associated with chest pain and worsening cough for 1 day, progressing to subcutaneous emphysema. He was eupneic, afebrile, without respiratory effort, with reduced breath sounds and subcrepitant rales in the left posterior base of the right hemithorax, subcutaneous emphysema that initially involved the thoracic circumference, and later expanded to the anterior cervical and supraclavicular region, bilaterally. He was taking his asthma medication irregularly. Chest tomography showed extensive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumorrhacs. Due to the suspicion of Hamman syndrome, expectant management and observation in the infirmary bed were advised. The patient was discharged from hospital after clinical improvement, and was referred for follow-up at the service's pediatric pulmonology outpatient clinic. CONCLUSION: Disseminating knowledge about this rare condition among healthcare professionals may allow for adequate patient management, as well as preventing relapses and unfavorable clinical outcomes.knowledge about this rare condition among healthcare professionals may allow for adequate patient management, as well as preventing relapses and unfavorable clinical outcomes.