Merck Manual

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Pneumomediastinum

By

Najib M Rahman

, BMBCh MA (oxon) DPhil, University of Oxford

Reviewed/Revised Aug 2023
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Topic Resources

Pneumomediastinum is air in mediastinal interstices.

The main causes of pneumomediastinum are

Tension pneumomediastinum with compression of mediastinal structures is rare.

The primary symptom is substernal chest pain which can, on occasion, be severe.

Physical examination may show subcutaneous emphysema, usually in the suprasternal notch, along with a crunching or clicking noise synchronous with the heartbeat; this noise is best heard over the heart when the patient is in the left lateral decubitus position (Hamman sign).

The diagnosis is confirmed by chest x-ray, which shows air in the mediastinum.

The cause of pneumomediastinum must be identified to rule out esophageal perforation, which requires hospitalization and treatment.

Pearls & Pitfalls

  • Although pneumomediastinum may produce dramatic findings on examination and/or x-ray and may indicate a serious disorder, treatment of pneumomediastinum itself is usually unnecessary.

Treatment of Pneumomediastinum

  • Usually unnecessary

Treatment usually is not necessary, although tension pneumomediastinum with compression of mediastinal structures can be relieved with needle aspiration, leaving the needle open to the atmosphere as is done with tension pneumothorax Pneumothorax (Tension) Tension pneumothorax is accumulation of air in the pleural space under pressure, compressing the lungs and decreasing venous return to the heart. (See also Overview of Thoracic Trauma.) Tension... read more Pneumothorax (Tension) .

Hospital admission is required if pneumomediastinum is secondary to esophageal or bowel rupture but not necessarily if secondary to alveolar rupture.

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