Capsule Summary
What is already known
The Macklin effect explains the pathophysiology of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, which can be observed in acute asthma exacerbation.
What is new in the current study
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is usually self-limited.
A 25-year-old male patient presented with persistent cough and deteriorating dyspnea. He regularly used short-acting beta2-agonist inhalers for asthma. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed hypoxemia (PaO
2 62 mmHg). Spirometry showed that the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV
1) was 30%, the forced vital capacity (FVC) was 60%, and the FEV
1 to FVC ratio was 55% of predicted values. Chest computed tomography demonstrated a small pneumomediastinum (
Fig. 1). He received nebulized long-acting beta2-agonists, muscarinic antagonists, corticosteroids, and oxygen therapy. He was discharged 3 days later. Repeat imaging revealed no evidence of pneumomediastinum, and spirometry values were unremarkable. Written informed consent for publication of the research details and clinical images was obtained from the patient.
Macklin [
1] first described the “Macklin effect” in 1939; this explains the pathophysiology of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, which occurs when air leaks through small alveolar ruptures to the surrounding bronchovascular sheaths and spreads into the mediastinum. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum happens in 1 in 8,000 to 1 in 42,000 of emergency admissions, with common triggers including acute asthma exacerbation, respiratory tract infection, strenuous physical activity, coughing, and vomiting [
2,
3]. The presence of air in the pulmonary interstitium and adjacent to the bronchovascular sheaths strongly suggests the Macklin effect and obviates the need for further diagnostic investigations.
To avoid unnecessary hospitalization of patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, Okada et al. [
4] have proposed a five-question guide. Patients without temperature >38°C, oxygen saturation <96%, progressive symptoms, vomiting at the onset, and anxiety are eligible for ambulatory care. The present case illustrates the self-limited nature of spontaneous pneumomediastinum by demonstrating rapid and complete resolution with conservative management. Follow-up imaging may not be needed in selected patients.
NOTES
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CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
-
FUNDING
None.
Fig. 1.Axial chest computed tomography image (lung window) showing (A) linear collection of air (arrows) adjacent to the bronchovascular sheath (Macklin effect) and (B) centripetal spread of air along the bronchovascular sheath to the right hilum (arrow) and to the mediastinum (arrowheads). (C) Sagittal chest computed tomography image (lung window) showing the presence of air around the right main bronchus (arrowheads).
REFERENCES
- 1. Macklin CC. Transport of air along sheaths of pulmonic blood vessels from alveoli to mediastinum: clinical implications. Arch Intern Med 1939;64:913-26.
- 2. Murayama S, Gibo S. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum and Macklin effect: overview and appearance on computed tomography. World J Radiol 2014;6:850-4.
- 3. Sahni S, Verma S, Grullon J, Esquire A, Patel P, Talwar A. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: time for consensus. N Am J Med Sci 2013;5:460-4.
- 4. Okada M, Adachi H, Shibuya Y, Ishikawa S, Hamabe Y. Diagnosis and treatment of patients with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Respir Investig 2014;52:36-40.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- Efecto Macklin en pacientes de COVID-19 críticos: análisis unicéntrico observacional
G. Melegari, F. Arturi, G. Vaccari, F. Gazzotti, E. Bertellini, L. Astore, G. Della Casa, A. Pecchi, A. Barbieri
Revista Española de Anestesiología y Reanimación.2025; 72(10): 501930. CrossRef - Macklin effect in critically COVID-19 patients: Observational single-center analysis
G. Melegari, F. Arturi, G. Vaccari, F. Gazzotti, E. Bertellini, L. Astore, G. Della Casa, A. Pecchi, A. Barbieri
Revista Española de Anestesiología y Reanimación (English Edition).2025; 72(10): 501930. CrossRef
