Mediastinal Emphysema Signs include which?

• A. High fever
• B. Pain radiating to the shoulder or back
• C. Cough with blood
• D. Severe headache

Answer: (B)

The signs of mediastinal emphysema commonly include chest pain that may radiate to the shoulder or back, due to irritation of the mediastinal tissues and nearby nerves. This radiating pain is a typical clue when air is present in the mediastinum. Other features can include subcutaneous emphysema (air under the skin) and sometimes a crunching sound over the heart with each heartbeat (Hamman’s sign). The other options don’t fit the typical picture: fever suggests infection, coughing up blood points to bleeding in the airways or lungs, and a severe headache isn’t related to mediastinal air.