Pneumomediastinum overview

Pneumomediastinum Microchapters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Pneumomediastinum (from Greek pneuma - "air", also known as mediastinal emphysema) is a condition in which air is present in the mediastinum.

The condition can result from physical trauma or other situations that lead to high pressure within the alveoli of the lung, causing them to burst and leak air into the chest cavity.