Pleural Effusion, Pneumothorax and Atelactasis

Question 1

What is pneumothorax?

Answer 1

Entry of air into the pleural space which prevents lung inflation and causes lung collapse. This air accumulation causes a mediastinal shift to the contralateral unaffected side.

Question 2

What is the cause of pneumothorax?

Answer 2

Spontaneous pneumothorax
Trauma pneumothorax
Tension pneumothorax

Question 3

What is a spontaneous pneumothorax?

Answer 3

Air pocket known as a bullae forms on the alveoli on the surface of the lungs, which bursts and creates a hole in the visceral space for air to fill the pleural space.

Risk factors are tall and slim men, and lung disease like emphysema and lung cancer.

Question 4

What is tension pneumothorax?

Answer 4

Lung injury or laceration on the parietal pleura which causes a one-way entry for air to enter but not leave. This can occur due to ventilation or injury.

Question 5

What is traumatic pneumothorax?

Answer 5

Caused by an injury like a stab/gun shot wound which tears through the parietal pleura and allows air to fill the space.

Question 6

What is pleural effusion?

Answer 6

Excessive fluid build up in the pleural space tha leads to mediastinal shift. Causes dullness to percussion and reduced breath sounds.

Question 7

What are the causes of pleural effusion?

Answer 7

Exudative fluid rich in protein from inflammation: Lung cancer, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pneumonia and Tuberculosis

Transudate low in protein from: congestive heart failure, hypothyroidism and hypoalbumineami

Question 8

What is atelactasis?

Answer 8

Collapse of a region or an entire part of the lung due to airflow obstruction or pressure on the lungs. It may be caused by pnuemothorax or pleural effusion.