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CHORUS

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Cardiovascular system

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pneumomediastinum

SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM
  • common; usually during the 2nd - 3rd decade
  • etiology:
    • rupture of marginally situated alveoli from sudden rise in intralveolar pressure: acute asthma, aspiration pneumonia, hyaline membrane disease, measles, giant cell pneumonia, coughing, vomiting, exercise, parturition, diabetic acidosis
    • tumor erosion of trachea/esophagus
    • pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum
  • complication: "air block" (decreased venous return)

TRAUMATIC PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM (rare)
  • pulmonary interstitial emphysema (positive pressure ventilation)
  • ruptured bronchus (commonly associated with pneumothorax)
  • ruptured esophagus (diabetic acidosis, alcoholic, Boerhaave)
see also: Hamman sign

Yong H. Hahn, MD  -  2 February 1995
Last updated:  1 October 2013


 

Related CHORUS documents:
Hamman sign
Boerhaave syndrome
pneumoperitoneum
esophageal perforation
esophageal trauma
left coronary artery branches

 

Copyright © 2013, Charles E. Kahn, Jr.