Macklin effect

Changed by Yuranga Weerakkody, 21 May 2022
Disclosures - updated 10 May 2022: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

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The Macklin effect describes one of the pathophysiological processes of pneumomediastinum in blunt chest trauma. This effect accounts for the formation of ~40% of severe blunt traumatic pneumomediastinum. Exclusion of tracheobronchial and oesophageal causes of pneumomediastinum is mandatory to exclude concomitant injury.

Pathology

The mechanism proposed by Macklin was alveolar rupture with air dissecting along peribronchovascular interstitial sheaths, interlobular septa, and the visceral pleura into the mediastinum 1.

Radiographic features

CT

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema with air tracking along the peribronchovascular sheaths towards the hilum and associated pneumomediastinum. 

History and etymology

The pathophysiologic process was first proposed by C C Macklin in 1939 2.

  • -<p>The<strong> Macklin effect</strong> describes one of the pathophysiological processes of <a href="/articles/pneumomediastinum">pneumomediastinum</a> in blunt chest trauma. This effect accounts for the formation of ~40% of severe blunt traumatic pneumomediastinum. Exclusion of <a href="/articles/tracheobronchial-injury">tracheobronchial</a> and <a href="/articles/oesophageal-perforation">oesophageal</a> causes of pneumomediastinum is mandatory to exclude concomitant injury.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The mechanism proposed by Macklin was alveolar rupture with air dissecting along <a href="/articles/peribronchovascular-interstitium">peribronchovascular interstitial</a> sheaths, <a href="/articles/interlobular-septa">interlobular septa</a>, and the <a href="/articles/pleura">visceral pleura</a> into the <a href="/articles/mediastinum-1">mediastinum</a> <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>CT</h5><p><a title="Pulmonary interstitial emphysema" href="/articles/pulmonary-interstitial-emphysema">Pulmonary interstitial emphysema</a> with air tracking along the peribronchovascular sheaths towards the <a href="/articles/lung-hilum">hilum</a> and associated pneumomediastinum. </p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The pathophysiologic process was first proposed by <strong>C C Macklin</strong> in 1939 <sup>2</sup>.</p>
  • +<p>The<strong> Macklin effect</strong> describes one of the pathophysiological processes of <a href="/articles/pneumomediastinum">pneumomediastinum</a> in blunt chest trauma. This effect accounts for the formation of ~40% of severe blunt traumatic pneumomediastinum. Exclusion of <a href="/articles/tracheobronchial-injury">tracheobronchial</a> and <a href="/articles/oesophageal-perforation">oesophageal</a> causes of pneumomediastinum is mandatory to exclude concomitant injury.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The mechanism proposed by Macklin was alveolar rupture with air dissecting along <a href="/articles/peribronchovascular-interstitium">peribronchovascular interstitial</a> sheaths, <a href="/articles/interlobular-septa">interlobular septa</a>, and the <a href="/articles/pleura">visceral pleura</a> into the <a href="/articles/mediastinum-1">mediastinum</a> <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>CT</h5><p><a href="/articles/pulmonary-interstitial-emphysema">Pulmonary interstitial emphysema</a> with air tracking along the peribronchovascular sheaths towards the <a href="/articles/lung-hilum">hilum</a> and associated pneumomediastinum. </p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The pathophysiologic process was first proposed by <strong>C C Macklin</strong> in 1939 <sup>2</sup>.</p>
Images Changes:

Image 1 Diagram (Pneumomediastinum) ( create )

Image 2 CT (lung window) ( update )

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Image 3 CT (lung window) ( update )

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Image 4 X-ray (Frontal) ( update )

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Image 5 X-ray (Frontal) ( update )

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