[Pneumomediastinum: an aspect of pulmonary barotrauma during mechanical ventilation of acute respiratory distress syndrome]

Abstract

Mechanical ventilation is a fundamental treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Despite compliance with the recommendations of protective mechanical ventilation, it can results in serious complications including the pulmonary barotrauma. This is often manifested by a pneumothorax. This observation describes an unusual aspect of barotrauma which is pneumomediastinum. The authors also point out the role of chest imaging in the management of mechanical ventilation during ARDS.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Barotraumatisme pulmonaire; Chest imaging; Computed tomography; Imagerie thoracique; Mechanical ventilation; Pneumomediastinum; Pneumomédiastin; Pulmonary barotrauma; Syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë; Tomodensitométrie; Ventilation mécanique.