Pneumomediastinum is air in mediastinal interstices.

The 3 main causes of pneumomediastinum are

• Alveolar rupture with dissection of air into the mediastinum
• Esophageal perforation
• Esophageal or bowel rupture with dissection of air from the neck or the abdomen into the mediastinum

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's sign).

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

Treatment usually is not necessary, although tension pneumomediastinum with compression of mediastinal structures (rare) can be relieved with needle aspiration, leaving the needle open to the atmosphere as is done with tension pneumothorax. Hospital admission is required if pneumomediastinum is secondary to esophageal or bowel rupture but not necessarily if secondary to alveolar rupture.

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

Pneumomediastinum

Last full review/revision May 2012 by Richard W. Light, MD

Content last modified November 2012