pneumomediastinum

pneumomediastinum /pneu·mo·me·di·as·ti·num/ (-me″de-as-ti´num) air or gas in the mediastinum, which may be pathological or introduced intentionally.

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pneu·mo·me·di·as·ti·num (nm-md--stnm)

n.

The escape of air into the mediastinal tissues, usually from interstitial emphysema or from a ruptured pulmonary bleb.

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pneumomediastinum

[no̅o̅′mōmē′dē·əstī′nəm]

Etymology: Gk, pneuma, air, mediastinus, midway

the presence of air or gas in the mediastinal tissues. In infants it may lead to pneumothorax or pneumopericardium, especially in those with respiratory distress syndrome or aspiration pneumonitis. In older children the condition may result from bronchitis, acute asthma, pertussis, cystic fibrosis, or bronchial rupture from cough or trauma. Also called Hamman's disease.

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pneumomediastinum

the presence of air or gas in tissues of the mediastinum, occurring pathologically or introduced intentionally.

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pneumomediastinum

Mediastinal emphysema Critical care The presence of air in the mediastinum, either post-traumatic or induced during mediastinoscopy; the air may percolate into the thorax, resulting in
pneumothorax, or into the pericardium, causing pneumopericardium. See Emphysema.