Pleural Abnormalities

Question 1

PNEUMOthorax (air/gas)

Answer 1

presence of air or gas in the pleural space

1) primary: unexpected (spontaneous) in healthy individuals
2) secondary: caused by diseases, trauma, injury, condition
3) iatrogenic: caused by medical treatments, especially transthoracic needle aspiration

Question 2

pneumothorax: clinical manifestations

Answer 2

• sudden pleural pain
• tachypnea (abnormally rapid breathing
• mild dyspnea (SOB)
• tension: severe hypoxemia, tracheal deviation away from the affected lung, hypotension

Question 3

pneumothorax: treatment

Answer 3

• chest tube

- persistent air leak: surgery, pleurodesis, thoracospcopic

Question 4

OPEN pneumothorax

Answer 4

air pressure in the pleural space equals barometric pressure, because air that is draw into the pleural space during inspiration is forced back out during expiration

Question 5

TENSION pneumothorax

Answer 5

site of pleural rupture acts as a one-way-valve, permit air to enter on inspiration but prevent escape by closing up during expiration (life threatening)

Question 6

Pleural Effusion: definition, clinical manifestations, treatment

Answer 6

• presence of FLUID in the pleural space
  cm: dyspnea, pleural pain
  T: thoracentesis, chest tube, surgery

Question 7

Types of Pleural Effusion (fluid in the space)

Answer 7

1) Transudative: watery & diffuses out the capillaries
2) Exudative: less watery * contains high concentrations of WBC & plasma proteins
3) CHYLOthorax: Chyle exudate (in lymph)
4) HEMOthorax: blood exudate

Question 8

Empyema(infection)

Answer 8

infected pleural effusion, pus in the pleural space

Question 9

empyema: clinical manifestations, treatment

Answer 9

cm: (infection), cyanosis, fever, tachycardia(rapid heart rate), cough, pleural pain
T: antimicrobial meds, drainage of the pleural space w a chest tube, instillation of fibrinolytic agents, DNase injected to pleural space