Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

2.0K
A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
2.0K
Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

1.4K
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
1.4K
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:29

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

1.2K
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
1.2K
Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction01:22

Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction

745
Esophageal perforation is a severe medical condition characterized by a breach in the integrity of the esophageal wall. This breach can occur due to various factors such as trauma, medical procedures, or underlying diseases. When the esophageal wall is compromised, it allows food, fluids, and digestive juices into the chest cavity or adjacent structures, leading to potential complications and health risks.
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
745
Acute Respiratory Failure-II01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-II

1.5K
Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
1.5K
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

1.3K
Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
1.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Ten Years of Innovation: Transforming Research in Ageing Through the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC).

Australasian journal on ageing·2026
Same author

Intrathecal Kappa Free Light Chains in Relation to IgM Synthesis and MRZH Reaction in a Mixed Neurological Cohort.

Journal of neurochemistry·2026
Same author

Airflow obstruction among young adults in Europe: a Chronic Airway Diseases Early Stratification (CADSET) collaboration with 48 612 individuals across eight population-based cohorts.

ERJ open research·2025
Same author

Sex differences in COPD in relation to smoking exposure: a population-based cohort study.

Thorax·2025
Same author

Patients' Views on Psychiatry, Coercion, and Social Class.

Bulletin of the history of medicine·2024
Same author

Low smoking exposure and development and prognosis of COPD over four decades: a population-based cohort study.

The European respiratory journal·2024
Same journal

[Mosaicism as a cause of Cowden syndrome].

Ugeskrift for laeger·2026
Same journal

[Thyrotoxic crisis with cardiogenic shock].

Ugeskrift for laeger·2026
Same journal

[Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the treatment of depression].

Ugeskrift for laeger·2026
Same journal

[Fitness].

Ugeskrift for laeger·2026
Same journal

[Risk of developing cataract related to fluoroscopy].

Ugeskrift for laeger·2026
Same journal

[Obturator hernia with small bowel ileus presenting as hip pain in an elderly woman].

Ugeskrift for laeger·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function
02:09

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function

Published on: April 12, 2024

1.2K

[Spontaneous mediastinal emphysema].

Charlotte Svedbrand1, Peter Lange, Klaus Nielsen

  • 1klausnielsen.md@gmail.com.

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|January 12, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Spontaneous mediastinal emphysema, or pneumomediastinum, is a rare condition of free air in the chest cavity without trauma, often affecting young adults. Diagnosis is typically via imaging, with symptomatic treatment usually effective.

More Related Videos

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice
10:37

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Published on: January 16, 2015

13.8K
Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
07:27

Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome

Published on: January 23, 2026

473

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function
02:09

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function

Published on: April 12, 2024

1.2K
Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice
10:37

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Published on: January 16, 2015

13.8K
Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
07:27

Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome

Published on: January 23, 2026

473

Area of Science:

  • Medical Imaging
  • Thoracic Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Spontaneous mediastinal emphysema (SME), also known as spontaneous pneumomediastinum, is characterized by free air in the mediastinum without preceding trauma.
  • This rare condition primarily affects young adults and can be triggered by forceful activities like coughing, strenuous exercise, or cocaine use.
  • Idiopathic cases account for approximately 40% of spontaneous pneumomediastinum diagnoses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define spontaneous mediastinal emphysema and outline its common causes, symptoms, and diagnostic methods.
  • To review the typical clinical presentation and diagnostic accuracy of imaging modalities for SME.
  • To discuss the management strategies and potential complications associated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum.

Main Methods:

  • Review of radiological findings defining free air in the mediastinum.
  • Analysis of common etiological factors including physical exertion and substance use.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic performance of chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT).

Main Results:

  • Chest X-ray detects spontaneous pneumomediastinum in 75-90% of cases.
  • Computed tomography (CT) provides 100% diagnostic accuracy for spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
  • Common symptoms include chest pain and dyspnea; complications like pneumothorax are infrequent.

Conclusions:

  • Spontaneous mediastinal emphysema is a rare condition diagnosed via imaging, often without a clear cause.
  • Prompt diagnosis using CT scans is crucial for effective symptomatic management.
  • While generally benign, awareness of potential complications such as pneumothorax is necessary.