Paratracheal Air Cysts: A Common Finding on Routine CT Examinations of the Cervical Spine and Neck That May Mimic Pneumomediastinum in Patients With Traumatic Injuries

Abstract

Right paratracheal air cysts are a common CT finding that occur in a predictable location. In the setting of trauma, these characteristic structures can mimic pneumomediastinum and are seen in approximately 3% to 4% of the US population. The cause is unclear but may be either congenital or an acquired phenomenon, given that they are often seen in both children and adults. We found no association with either trauma or the presence of emphysematous changes in the lung apices.