Pneumothorax

Question 1

What are the two main categories of causes of pneumothorax?

Answer 1

Spontaneous or trauma

Question 2

Which group most commonly get spontaneous pneumothorax?

Answer 2

young males

Question 3

What is the most common cause of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients over 40?

Answer 3

COPD

Question 4

What determines whether a pneumothorax will be local or generalised?

Answer 4

whether there are adhesions op the visceral pleura to the parietal pleura

Question 5

What is the mechanism of a tension pneumothorax?

Answer 5

On inspiration the air escapes into the pleural space but cannot leave during expiration, this decreases the venous return to the heart.

Question 6

Under what circumstances are tension pneumothorax common?

Answer 6

when the patient is on positive ventilation

Question 7

What are the two most common presentations of pneumothorax?

Answer 7

Increasing breathlessness and pleuritic chest plain

Question 8

How should a tension pneumothorax be treated?

Answer 8

by inserting a cannula into the 2nd intercostal space, in the mid clavicular line and aspirating the air. Lidocaine may me used for local anaesthetic.

Question 9

What is the cause of pneumothorax in young people (spontaneous)

Answer 9

rupture of the pleural bleb, thought to be congenital.

Question 10

Name 5 causes of pneumothorax other than trauma and COPD

Answer 10

asthema, TB, pneumonia, lung abscess, carcinoma, cystic fibrosis, lung fibrosis, sarcoidosis, Marfan’s syndrome, subclavian CVP line,