What are causes of pneumomediastinum?
Pneumomediastinum is usually seen in younger patients due to obstructive airway processes such as asthma or foreign bodies, traumatic injury, increased pressure within the lungs or airways (e.g. excessive coughing, vomiting, or increased abdominal pressure during delivery). Up to a third of the cases have no identified cause.
Features of pneumomediastinum and neck soft tissue emphysema, no pneumothorax. The lungs and pleural spaces are clear.