Type 1 diabetic ketoacidosis characterized by vomiting and Hamman’s syndrome: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Hamman's syndrome, a form of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, exhibits a low incidence and is seldom secondary to ketoacidosis. CASE PRESENTATION: This article presents a case of type 1 diabetic ketoacidosis where vomiting and Hamman's syndrome were the initial manifestations. Additionally, it reviews the data of 85 patients with Hamman's syndrome combined with diabetic ketoacidosis to summarize its traits, analyze its pathogenesis, and delineate its diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of Hamman's syndrome is favorable; however, it must be discriminated from Boerhaave's syndrome, which is associated with a high mortality rate. Therefore, heightened awareness and understanding of this disease among clinicians are essential.