title: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
abstract: In this paper two cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, occurring in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis and in a patient with bronchial asthma, are presented. We describe the radiological findings, the differential diagnosis and the important radiographic considerations in establishing the diagnosis. In addition, we discuss the anatomical pathways and review the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the development of respiratory spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ba-Ssalamah
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schima
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Umek
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Herold
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed