Pneumomediastinum

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Respiratory system

Mediastinal emphysema

Pneumomediastinum may not be accompanied by any symptoms. Usually, it causes severe chest pain below the sternum (breastbone) that may radiate to the neck or arms. The pain may be worse with breathing or swallowing.

During a physical examination, the doctor may feel small bubbles of air under the skin of the chest, arms, or neck. A chest x-ray or CAT scan of the chest may be done to confirm the presence of air in the mediastinum.

Review Date: 08/07/2006
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.