This site is intended for healthcare professionals

CPD
CPD
Pro
Pro
Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Pneumomediastinum

Authoring team

Air in the mediastinum.

Most common cause is rupture of the alveoli (air then enters the interstitial tissues and tracks to the mediastinum). Causes include:

  • raised intrapulmonary pressures e.g. vomiting, asthma, coughing
  • positive pressure mechanical ventilation

Other causes include:

  • penetrating neck injury
  • oesophageal and bronchial rupture

Clinical features:

  • may be asymptomatic
  • chest pain that is worse on swallowing or breathing
  • crunching sound coincident with each heart beat

Chest X-ray:

  • air in the upper mediastinum, around the heart, or within the soft tissues of the neck
  • pneumothorax in 30% of cases

Treatment:

  • treat underlying cause
  • treatment with high concentration inspiratory oxygen can hasten resolution

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.