Pneumomediastinum pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

• Pneumomediastinum can happen when pressure rises in the lungs and causes the air sacs (alveoli) to rupture. Another possible cause is damage to the lungs or other nearby structures that allow air to leak into the center of the chest.

Pathophysiology

Physiology

The normal physiology of [name of process] can be understood as follows:

Pathogenesis

• Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign process commonly resulting from a sudden increase in intrathoracic pressure due to a specific triggering event such as Valsalva maneuver, vomiting, asthma exacerbation, physical activity, or occasionally without any specific preceding event.
• The pathophysiology of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is based on the existence of a pressure gradient between the alveoli and the lung interstitium; this pressure difference may lead to alveolar rupture and the consequent escape of air into the interstitium. Once the air is in the lung interstitium it flows towards the hilum and the mediastinum along a pressure gradient between the lung periphery and the mediastinum
• Secondary pneumomediastinum is resulted by blunt or penetrating trauma, recent interventions in the esophageal or tracheobronchial tree, rupture of a hollow viscus, tissue dissection originating from spontaneous pneumothorax, pulmonary or mediastinal infection by gas-forming organisms.

• Secondary PM: Disruption of aerodigestive tract (trauma, foreign body, Boerhaave syndrome), surgery, mediastinitis

• The exact pathogenesis of [disease name] is not completely understood.

OR

• It is understood that [disease name] is the result of / is mediated by / is produced by / is caused by either [hypothesis 1], [hypothesis 2], or [hypothesis 3].
• [Pathogen name] is usually transmitted via the [transmission route] route to the human host.
• Following transmission/ingestion, the [pathogen] uses the [entry site] to invade the [cell name] cell.
• [Disease or malignancy name] arises from [cell name]s, which are [cell type] cells that are normally involved in [function of cells].
• The progression to [disease name] usually involves the [molecular pathway].
• The pathophysiology of [disease/malignancy] depends on the histological subtype.

Genetics

[Disease name] is transmitted in [mode of genetic transmission] pattern.

OR

Genes involved in the pathogenesis of [disease name] include:

• [Gene1]
• [Gene2]
• [Gene3]

OR

The development of [disease name] is the result of multiple genetic mutations such as:

• [Mutation 1]
• [Mutation 2]
• [Mutation 3]

Associated Conditions

Conditions associated with [disease name] include:

• [Condition 1]
• [Condition 2]
• [Condition 3]

Gross Pathology

On gross pathology, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic histopathological analysis, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].