Pneumomediastinum on X‑ray: 3 real cases
Real, openly licensed radiographs showing pneumomediastinum. Study what to look for, then open each case and read it yourself before revealing the answer.
What to look for
- Lucent streaks along the mediastinum.
- Continuous diaphragm sign.
- Neck emphysema.
Learn: Pneumomediastinum and surgical emphysema
Cases
Case #110178787Chest · Intermediate
Case #14718591Chest · Intermediate
Case #172960610Chest · IntermediateOther chest diagnoses
- Asbestos-related pleural disease
- COVID-19 pneumonia
- Cardiomegaly
- Cervical rib
- Diaphragmatic hernia
- Emphysema / COPD (hyperinflation)
- Hiatus hernia
- Lung abscess
- Lung cancer (mass)
- Lung collapse (atelectasis)
- Normal chest radiograph
- Pectus excavatum
- Pericardial effusion
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
- Pneumonia (consolidation)
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary oedema (heart failure)
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Silicosis / pneumoconiosis
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Diagnoses come from each image's documented source. Credits and licences are shown on each case and on the image credits page.