Mediastinal Emphysema Signs and Symptoms include which?

• A. High fever
• B. Mild pain under the breast bone
• C. Rash
• D. Cough up blood

Answer: (B)

Mediastinal emphysema, or pneumomediastinum, typically presents with chest discomfort due to air in the mediastinal space, often described as substernal or under-the-breastbone pain. This mild chest pain fits the common pattern of mediastinal air causing irritation of the mediastinal tissues, sometimes accompanied by signs like subcutaneous emphysema later on. The other options don’t fit this condition: high fever suggests infection, a rash points to a dermatologic or systemic allergic process, and coughing up blood indicates hemoptysis from lung or airway injury, not the presence of air in the mediastinum. So the described mild substernal pain best reflects the usual signs and symptoms of mediastinal emphysema.