Correct!
3. Ruptured aortic aneurysm
Ruptured esophagus, tracheobronchial injury, penetrating thoracic injury and abdominal-pelvic organ perforation [small bowel, or even large bowel, as may occur with diverticulitis] may all result in pneumomediastinum. A ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm, however, would not be associated with the development of pneumomediastinum.
Which of the following represents an appropriate step for the evaluation of this patient? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the fourth of eight panels)