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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Pneumomediastinum is air in the cavity in the central part of the chest (mediastinum).

  • The small air sacs of the lungs (alveoli) become stretched and torn

  • The esophagus rips or tears

  • The intestine tears, causing air to leak into the chest cavity

Most often, people have chest pain below the breastbone. The pain may be severe.

When doctors do a physical examination, they may hear a crunching or crackling noise when they listen to the chest through a stethoscope. A chest x-ray is done to confirm the diagnosis. Additional testing is needed to determine the cause of the pneumomediastinum.

Usually, treatment is not necessary. However, the problem that caused pneumomediastinum may require treatment.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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