⭐️Pneumothorax

Question 1

What is it

Answer 1

Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse.

Question 2

Clinical Features

Answer 2

Sudden onset dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Pleuritic chest pain (sharp, worse with breathing)
Decreased breath sounds on affected side
Hyperresonance on percussion
Tracheal deviation (if tension pneumothorax)
Hypotension (in tension pneumothorax

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

More common in males
Increased incidence in tall, thin individuals
Higher risk in smokers

Question 4

Age Groups Affected

Answer 4

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: young adults (10-30 years)
Secondary Pneumothorax: older adults with underlying lung disease
Traumatic/Tension Pneumothorax: any age (due to injury, mechanical ventilation)

Question 5

Risk Factors

Answer 5

Smoking (major risk factor for spontaneous pneumothorax)
Tall, thin body type (Marfan syndrome association)
Underlying lung disease (COPD, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis)
Mechanical ventilation (barotrauma risk)
Chest trauma (rib fractures, penetrating injuries)

Question 6

Clinical Presentation

Answer 6

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: sudden chest pain, mild dyspnea, often in a young, healthy individual
Secondary Pneumothorax: severe dyspnea, respiratory distress (due to underlying lung disease)
Tension Pneumothorax (medical emergency):
Severe respiratory distress
Hypotension, tachycardia
Tracheal deviation away from affected side
Distended neck veins (JVD)

Question 7

Prognosis

Answer 7

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: generally good prognosis, may recur (~30% recurrence rate)
Secondary Pneumothorax: poorer prognosis due to underlying lung disease
Tension Pneumothorax: life-threatening if untreated, requires urgent needle decompression followed by chest tube placement
Recurrence risk: higher in smokers and those with lung disease