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Pneumomediastinum
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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[What causes pneumomediastinum?
The three main causes of pneumomediastinum are the rupture of the alveoli with the breakthrough of air into the mediastinum, rupture of the esophagus and rupture of the stomach or intestine with the breakthrough of air from the neck or from the abdominal cavity to the mediastinum.
Symptoms of pneumomediastinum
The main symptoms of pneumomediastinum are chest pains in the lower part of the chest, which can in some cases be very pronounced. In physical examination, subcutaneous emphysema is defined, usually over the sternum, along with crunchy or snapping sounds that coincide with cardiac contractions that are best heard over the heart region, in the patient's position lying on the left side (Hamman's symptom).
Treatment of pneumomediastinum
Treatment of pneumomediastinum is usually not required, although intense pneumomediastinum with compression of the mediastinal structures (which, however, is a rare condition) may require needle aspiration and then leave the needle, as is done with a strained pneumothorax.