Computed Tomographic Findings and Mortality in Patients With Pneumomediastinum From Blunt Trauma

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.