Computed Tomographic Findings and Mortality in Patients With Pneumomediastinum From Blunt Trauma [1]
Among patients with blunt trauma, the authors studied the implications of pneumomediastinum identified on CT. The incidence was 2.2%. Pneumomediastinum was associated with a 4-fold increase in mortality, a 2-fold increase in length of stay, and a 3-fold increase in ICU stay. Air in the posterior mediastinum, air in all mediastinal compartments, and pneumomediastinum associated with a hemothorax were each associated with an increased risk of mortality.