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World J Radiol. Nov 28, 2014; 6(11): 850-854
Published online Nov 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i11.850
Published online Nov 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i11.850
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum and Macklin effect: Overview and appearance on computed tomography
Sadayuki Murayama, Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan
Shinji Gibo, Department of Radiology, Urasoe General Hospital, Okinawa 901-2132, Japan
Author contributions: Murayama S designed and wrote the paper; Gibo S provided case examples for this article.
Correspondence to: Sadayuki Murayama, MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan. sadayuki@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-98-8951160 Fax: +81-98-8951420
Received: April 23, 2014
Revised: June 16, 2014
Accepted: September 23, 2014
Published online: November 28, 2014
Revised: June 16, 2014
Accepted: September 23, 2014
Published online: November 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The Macklin effect can be frequently seen on imaging by multidetector-row computed tomography (CT) of patients who are found to have spontaneous pneumomediastinum from respiratory causes other than chest trauma. The collections of air dissect along the bronchovascular sheaths to the hilum and into the mediastinum. The Macklin effect as seen on CT may help differentiate respiratory from other etiologies of pneumomediastinum.