Pneumomediastinum history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Trusha Tank, M.D.[2], Jacquelyne DiTroia

Overview[edit | edit source]

Most common symptoms seen in pneumomediastinum are sudden onset of pain in the chest and subcutaneous emphysema. In most cases, pain follows the signs of causative or underlying pathology such as exacerbation of asthma. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in most cases presents without any symptoms. Besides chest pain, other frequent symptoms are cough, dyspnea or pain in the neck. Most specific finding on physical exam is Hamman's sign, which is a mediastinal crunch or click present on auscultation over the cardiac apex and the left sternal border synchronous with the heartbeat.

History and Symptoms[edit | edit source]

History[edit | edit source]

There are several causative and/or precipitating factors associated with pneumomediastinum. Specific history should be focused on:^[1][2][3]

• Asthma
• COPD
• Pneumonia
• ARDS
• Interstitial lung disease
• Mediastinitis
• Procedures
  • Endoscopy

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The clinical presentation of pneumomediastinum depends on the causative or precipitating factor. Common symptoms of pneumomediastinum include:^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

• Severe, acute pain in the chest (pain may radiate to the shoulders or back)
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Cervical pain (Subcutaneous emphysema)
• Jaw pain (Subcutaneous emphysema)
• Swelling of neck, face, chest, abdomen, shoulder (subcutaneous emphysema)
• Dysphonia
• Dysphagia
• Emesis

References[edit | edit source]

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