Pneumothorax

Question 1

What is a pneumothorax?

Answer 1

Pneumothorax occurs when air leaks from the lung into the pleural space.
This causes the lung to collapse down and peel away from the inside of the chest.

Question 2

What is a primary pneumothorax:

Answer 2

A pneumothorax that has developed without any history of lung problems. Often air has leaked from blebs and bullae on the lung surface which has been present from birth.

Question 3

What is a secondary pneumothorax?

Answer 3

These form in a patient with a prediagnosed lung condition that predisposes them to pneumothorax. i.e COPD

Question 4

What is a traumatic pneumothorax?

Answer 4

Pneumothorax caused by an injury to the chest wall i.e a fall causing damage to the surface of the lung.

Question 5

What is an Iatrogenic Pneuothorax?

Answer 5

A pneumothorax that has occured after a medical procedure e.g lung biopsy.

Question 6

Symptoms of a pneumothorax:

Answer 6

Sudden SOB
CP - worse on coughing and breathin
Dry cough
Swelling and crepitus

Question 7

Treatment for pneumothorax:

Answer 7

This depends on the size, whether the air leak is increasing and the cause.
Small pneumothorax can heal itself in 1-2 weeks. Pain relief is recommended. Follow up Xray will check the healing progress.

Large pneumothorax may require a needle decompression or chest drain which allows air out but not back in.