Pneumomediastinum by Blunt Chest Trauma (The Macklin Effect).
- Author:
Sang Wan RYU
1
;
Dong Hun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Armed Forces Kwangju Hospital, Korea. ryusangwan@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Pneumomediastinum;
diagnostic
- MeSH:
Humans;
Mediastinal Emphysema*;
Mediastinum;
Thorax*
- From:The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2003;36(5):375-377
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Pneumomediastinum, also referred to as mediastinal emphysema or Hamman's syndrome, is defined as the presence of air or gas within the fascial planes of the mediastinum. Superior extension of air into the cervicofacial subcutaneous space via communications between the mediastinum and cervical fascial planes or spaces occurs occasionally. Pneumomediastinum frequently results from blunt tracheobronchial lesions and esophageal injuries. However, in most cases, the origin of pneumomediastnum remains unclear. In some cases, it is attributed to the Macklin effect. We report a case of patient with pneumomediastinum, that presented with Mackin effect on chest computed tomographic scan.
