자발성 종격동기종은 기저질환이나 외상의 병력이 없이 발생할 수 있고 드물게는 운동중에 발생할 수 있다. 저자들은 23세 남자 환자에서 태권도중에 발생한 자발성 종격동기종 1예를 경험하였기에 이를 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is defined as a clinical syndrome that`s characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinal space, which is not due to an old previous injury or surgery. The condition is caused by a sustained increase in the intraalveolar and intrabronchial pressure with extravasated air dissecting along the perivascular spaces of the mediastinum. This is an uncommon complication of sports activity. The most common symptom is chest pain. This diagnosis should be considered for younger people who present with pleuritic chest pain or dyspnea and a characteristic crackling feel (known as subcutaneous crepitation) when touching of the skin covering the chest wall or neck, and they look otherwise well with normal vital signs. Usually no treatment is required, but the mediastinal air will be absorbed faster if the patient inspires high concentrations of oxygen. We present here a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum that occurred during a Taekwondo match, along with a review of the relevant literature. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2008;65:222-224)