HEMATOMEDIASTINUM Meaning and
Definition
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Hematomediastinum is a medical term that refers to the accumulation of blood in the mediastinum. The mediastinum is the space located between the lungs, which contains the heart, major blood vessels, esophagus, and other vital structures.
When an injury or trauma occurs to the chest, such as a blunt force or penetrating injury, blood vessels in the mediastinum may be damaged, leading to bleeding. This can result in the formation of a hematoma, which is a localized collection of blood.
Hematomediastinum can also occur spontaneously, without any apparent external cause. In these cases, it is often associated with certain underlying medical conditions or procedures, such as aortic dissection, traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta, or complications following invasive surgeries.
Symptoms of hematomediastinum can vary depending on the severity and location of the hemorrhage. Common manifestations include chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, swelling in the neck or chest, and palpitations. Severe cases can lead to life-threatening complications such as compression of the airways or major blood vessels, causing respiratory or circulatory compromise.
Diagnosing hematomediastinum typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause and severity but often involve a combination of conservative management and surgical intervention.
Overall, hematomediastinum is a condition characterized by the accumulation of blood in the mediastinum. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial to prevent potential complications and ensure optimal patient outcomes.
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An effusion of blood into the mediastinum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEMATOMEDIASTINUM
- hematteomediastinum
- hematwomediastinum
- h ematomediastinum
- he matomediastinum
- hem atomediastinum
- hema tomediastinum
- hemat omediastinum
- hemato mediastinum
- hematom ediastinum
- hematome diastinum
- hematomed iastinum
- hematomedi astinum
- hematomedia stinum
- hematomedias tinum
- hematomediast inum
- hematomediasti num
- hematomediastin um
- hematomediastinu m
Etymology of HEMATOMEDIASTINUM
The word "hematomediastinum" is derived from the combination of three components:
1. "Hemat-" is derived from the Greek word "haima" meaning "blood".
2. "Mediastinum" is derived from the Latin word "mediastinus", which refers to the middle part or central area of a cavity or structure.
3. "-Um" is a suffix commonly used in medical terminology to denote a condition or disorder.
Hence, "hematomediastinum" refers to the presence of blood in the mediastinum, which is the central region of the thoracic cavity between the two lungs.
Similar spelling word for HEMATOMEDIASTINUM
