Pneumothorax Flashcards
define pneumothorax
air in pleural space (between parietal and visceral pleura )
what are the 3 types of pneumothorax ?
spontaneous/primary
secondary
traumatic
what is the risk factor for pneumothorax ?
connective tissue disorder
give an example of connective tissue disorder
marfans
how can you differentiate between small and large pneumothorax ?
measured at level of hilum
small < 2cm rim of air
large > 2cm rim of air
what are features of pneumothorax ?
acute onset pleuritic chest pain, especially on insperation
SOB
Tachycardia
what would you 4 things may you find on examination of pneumothorax ?
hyper - resonant percussion note
reduced expansion on affected side
quiet breath sounds on auscultation
Hamman’s sign ( click on ausculation left side in time with heartbeat)
what would you do to further ivestigate pneumothorax ?
CXR
how would you manage pneumothorax ?
aspiration or/and chest drain
when would you do a chest drain immediately ?
if patient is:
unstable
bilateral
secondary to another pathology
how would you manage a patient who has pneumothorax < 2cm and has no SOB ?
no treatment as usually spontaneous resolves
follow up in 2-4 weeks of. CXR to see if resolved
how would you mange a patient with pneumothorax with SOB and > 2 cm ?
aspiration
if t fails twice then do a chest drain
why is tension pneumothorax an emergency ?
it can lead to cardiac arrest
what are signs of a tension pneumothorax ?
tracheal deviation AWAY from side
hyper-resonance on the affected side
Hypotension
raised JVP
what investigation do you use for tension pneumothorax ?
none as it is a clinical diagnosis
