pneumomediastinum

• common; usually during the 2nd - 3rd decade
• etiology:
  • rupture of marginally situated alveoli from sudden rise in intralveolar pressure: acute asthma, aspiration pneumonia, hyaline membrane disease, measles, giant cell pneumonia, coughing, vomiting, exercise, parturition, diabetic acidosis
  • tumor erosion of trachea/esophagus
  • pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum
• complication: "air block" (decreased venous return)

• pulmonary interstitial emphysema (positive pressure ventilation)
• ruptured bronchus (commonly associated with pneumothorax)
• ruptured esophagus (diabetic acidosis, alcoholic, Boerhaave)

© 2002, C.E. Kahn, Jr.
2002-04-18