Research Article

Evaluation of tracheobronchial angles on computed tomography in patients with pneumomediastinum

Volume: 19 Number: 2 April 13, 2026
TR EN

Evaluation of tracheobronchial angles on computed tomography in patients with pneumomediastinum

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate tracheobronchial diameters and tracheobronchial bifurcation angles on computed tomography (CT) in patients with pneumomediastinum. Materials and methods: CT scans of 63 patients with pneumomediastinum (PP) and 63 patients with normal CT findings (PN) were retrospectively evaluated in the Radiology Archives of our hospital. In PP, the extent of mediastinal air on CT images was visually classified into three grades. Thoracic anteroposterior distance (TAPD) and transverse thoracic distance (TTD), anteroposterior (AP) diameters of the trachea and bronchi, tracheal length (TL), right main bronchus angle (RMBA), left main bronchus angle (LMBA), subcarinal angle (SCA), and interbronchial angle (IBA) were measured on CT images in all patients. All measurements were compared between patients with and without pneumomediastinum. Results: A significant sex-related difference was observed in thoracic AP diameter and left main bronchus diameter in the PN group. Among PP, 22.2% (n=14) were grade 1, 30.2% (n=19) were grade 2, and 47.6% (n=30) were grade 3. Tracheal length and left main bronchus diameter were higher in PN patients compared to PP patients. The mean SCA was 75.06±23.40° in the PP group and was significantly greater than in the PN group (p=0.001). LMBA was significantly higher in the PN group compared with the PP group (p=0.003). Conclusion: Individuals with a narrower LMBA, shorter tracheal length, larger thoracic AP diameter, and wider SCA may be at greater risk of developing pneumomediastinum in the setting of barotrauma.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

none

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee of Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine (02/22/2024, E-60116787-020-494146).

Thanks

none

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Radiology and Organ Imaging

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 13, 2026

Submission Date

December 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 31, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 19 Number: 2

APA
Çakmak, V., Kurnaz, M. B., Dönmez, T., Güngör, G., Çakmak, P., & Herek, D. (2026). Evaluation of tracheobronchial angles on computed tomography in patients with pneumomediastinum. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 19(2), 317-329. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1841396
AMA
1.Çakmak V, Kurnaz MB, Dönmez T, Güngör G, Çakmak P, Herek D. Evaluation of tracheobronchial angles on computed tomography in patients with pneumomediastinum. Pam Med J. 2026;19(2):317-329. doi:10.31362/patd.1841396
Chicago
Çakmak, Vefa, Müşerref Bade Kurnaz, Tuğçe Dönmez, Gülay Güngör, Pınar Çakmak, and Duygu Herek. 2026. “Evaluation of Tracheobronchial Angles on Computed Tomography in Patients With Pneumomediastinum”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 19 (2): 317-29. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1841396.
EndNote
Çakmak V, Kurnaz MB, Dönmez T, Güngör G, Çakmak P, Herek D (April 1, 2026) Evaluation of tracheobronchial angles on computed tomography in patients with pneumomediastinum. Pamukkale Medical Journal 19 2 317–329.
IEEE
[1]V. Çakmak, M. B. Kurnaz, T. Dönmez, G. Güngör, P. Çakmak, and D. Herek, “Evaluation of tracheobronchial angles on computed tomography in patients with pneumomediastinum”, Pam Med J, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 317–329, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.31362/patd.1841396.
ISNAD
Çakmak, Vefa - Kurnaz, Müşerref Bade - Dönmez, Tuğçe - Güngör, Gülay - Çakmak, Pınar - Herek, Duygu. “Evaluation of Tracheobronchial Angles on Computed Tomography in Patients With Pneumomediastinum”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 19/2 (April 1, 2026): 317-329. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1841396.
JAMA
1.Çakmak V, Kurnaz MB, Dönmez T, Güngör G, Çakmak P, Herek D. Evaluation of tracheobronchial angles on computed tomography in patients with pneumomediastinum. Pam Med J. 2026;19:317–329.
MLA
Çakmak, Vefa, et al. “Evaluation of Tracheobronchial Angles on Computed Tomography in Patients With Pneumomediastinum”. Pamukkale Medical Journal, vol. 19, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 317-29, doi:10.31362/patd.1841396.
Vancouver
1.Vefa Çakmak, Müşerref Bade Kurnaz, Tuğçe Dönmez, Gülay Güngör, Pınar Çakmak, Duygu Herek. Evaluation of tracheobronchial angles on computed tomography in patients with pneumomediastinum. Pam Med J. 2026 Apr. 1;19(2):317-29. doi:10.31362/patd.1841396

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