[Mediastinal emphysema].

18 patients have been treated in our department for mediastinal emphysema (ME) during last 15 years. Small degree ME was found in 5 cases medium degree ME in 6 cases and in 5 patients tension emphysema was noted. Small degree ME was caused by abdominal and thyroid gland surgery, middle degree ME was recognized after surgical treatment of the mediastinal tumors or after mediastinal traumas. Tension emphysema of the mediastinum was observed in patients artificially ventilated, after blunt chest injuries or in the course of pneumonia. Sometimes it was impossible to establish the cause of ME. Tension emphysema of the mediastinum was usually life-threatening and required decompression.