4. Pneumothorax Flashcards
How common is it?
10-24 per 100 000
Who does it affect?
M>F
What signs may the patient have on examination?
Reduced expansion
Hyper-resonance to percussion
Tracheal deviation away from affected side in tension pneumothorax
What risk factors are there?
Underlying lung disease / connective tissue disorders
Young, male, slim
Prev pneumothorax
What treatments are there?
Chest drain if SOB, >2cm and unsuccessful aspiration
Chest drain if traumatic / ventilator caused
O2 if secondary
What other conditions might present similarly?
Pneumonia Asthma exacerbation Bronchitis PE Costochondritis ACS
What complications are there?
Effusion
Haemorrhage
Respiratory failure
Empyema
How does it present?
May be asymptomatic esp if spontaneous
Sudden onset SOB and pleuritic chest pain
Sudden deterioration in asthma / COPD patients