• Gordon M Buchanan and Vivian Franklin.
• Specialty Trainee in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Crosshouse, UK gordonbuchanan1@nhs.net.
• Scot Med J. 2014 Nov 1;59(4):e12-6.

IntroductionHyperemesis gravidarum describes persistent vomiting leading to fluid and electrolyte imbalance. It is the commonest reason for admission in the first half of pregnancy. We describe a case of Hamman syndrome secondary to hyperemesis gravidarum. We also discuss Boerhaave syndrome: a particularly rare condition with only a handful of cases being described in the literature.Case PresentationA 17 year old admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum was diagnosed with Hamman syndrome after complaining of chest pain due to the presence of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum on chest radiograph. She was treated conservatively for potential ruptured oesophagus but then self-discharged against medical advice.ConclusionSubcutaneous emphysema is an alarming finding in any pregnancy and should be treated in a timely and cautious manner. This case report adds weight to the previous literature advocating a conservative versus surgical approach to the management of a woman with Hamman syndrome secondary to hyperemesis gravidarum.© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

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