title: Pneumomediastinum.
abstract: Pneumomediastinum is a condition in which air is present in the mediastinum. This condition can result from physical trauma or other situations that lead to air escaping from the lungs, airways or bowel into the chest cavity. Pneumomediastinum is a rare situation and occurs when air leaks into the mediastinum. The diagnosis can be confirmed via chest X-ray or CT scanning of the thorax. The main symptom is usually severe central chest pain. Other symptoms include laboured breathing, voice distortion (as with helium) and subcutaneous emphysema, specifically affecting the face, neck, and chest. Pneumomediastinum can also be characterized by the shortness of breath that is typical of a respiratory system problem. It is often recognized on auscultation by a "crunching" sound timed with the cardiac cycle (Hamman's crunch). Pnemomediastinum may also present with symptoms mimicking cardiac tamponade as a result of the increased intrapulmonary pressure on venous flow to the heart. The tissues in the mediastinum will slowly resorb the air in the cavity so most pneumomediastinums are treated conservatively.
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasileios K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Kouritas
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Papagiannopoulos
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lazaridis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baka
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mpoukovinas
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Karavasilis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lampaki
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kioumis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pitsiou
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papaiwannou
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karavergou
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kipourou
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lada
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Organtzis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsikogiannis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Kosmas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsakiridis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zarogoulidis
authors.affiliation: 1 Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 2 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 7 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 8 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zarogoulidis
keywords: Pneumothorax; pneumomediastinum; puncture; trauma