Pleura

Question 1

What is pneumothorax?

Answer 1

Accumulation of air in the pleural space

Question 2

What causes spontaneous pneumothorax? Where does the trachea move?

Answer 2

Rupture of an emphysematous bleb, seen in young adults. Results in collapse of a portion of the lung. Trachea shifts to the side of the collapse.

Question 3

What causes tension pneumothorax? Where does the trachea move? How is it treated?

Answer 3

Arises with penetrating chest wall injury. Air enters the peural space, but cannot exit. Trachea is pushed opposite to the side of injury. Medical emergency, treated with chest tube insertion.

Question 4

What causes mesothelioma? How does mesothelioma present?

Answer 4

Occupational exposure to asbestos. Presents with recurrent pleural effusions, dyspnea and chest pain. Tumor encases the lung.