Sharp mediastinum sign

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 15 Nov 2022

The sharp mediastinum sign is a unique sign in neonatal chest x-rays for medial pneumothoraces or pneumomediastinum, especially as a complication to mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

As neonatal chest x-rays are taken with the neonate/infant supine, the air in the pleural space rises to paramediastinal locations, and the air creates a sharp contour around mediastinal structures 1.

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