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| Mediastinal Emphysema |
Question:
What is Mediastinal Emphysema?
Answer:
Mediastinal emphysema (sometimes referred to as pneumomediastinum) is a serious lung over expansion
injury in which air vents into the mediastinum from a ruptured lung. If too
much air gets in the mediastinum which is the space where your heart lives,
overpressurization occurs and puts pressure on the heart. This can cause
the heart to malfunction because it can't expand and beat properly, which
causes reduced blood flow, which causes decrease in oxygen to body tissues.
Mediastinal emphysema is caused by the same mechanism as other forms of
barotrauma such as pneumothorax.
The symptoms are a dull ache or
tightness in the chest that worsens with coughing, swallowing, or taking a
deep breath. The expanding air may interfere with the circulation of the
heart or arteries and can cause fainting.
This is a serious diving injury and requires professional evaluation.
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