Pneumothorax

Question 1

epidemiology of Pneumothorax

Answer 1

primary - 20-30 years
M>W, 6:1
secondary - 60-70 years
M>F, 3:1

Question 2

aetiology of Pneumothorax

Answer 2

bullae rupture
genetic
secondary to disease

Question 3

pathogenesis of Pneumothorax

Answer 3

pleural space is invaded by air/gas from ruptured bleb or from puncture
lung collaspes to equalise inside/outside pressure
or until rupture sealed
smaller lung
decreased capacity
O2 exchange reduced

Question 4

natural history of Pneumothorax

Answer 4

spontaneous can resolve - 10 days by itself

tension = progresses to respiratory insufficiency, CVC collapse = death

Question 5

symptoms of pnuemothorax

Answer 5

spontaneous = acute-onset/shortness of breath
diminished breath sounds/hyper resonant
shortness of breath
tension = hypotension/hypoxia/chest pain/dysponea

Question 6

signs of Pneumothorax

Answer 6

1) mediastinal/tracheal shfit to opposite side
2) distant or absent breath sounds
3) hyper resonant on percussion
4) ipsilateral crackles and wheezes
5) tachycardia/hypotension
6) visible jugular vein

Question 7

prognosis of pneumothorax

Answer 7

1) spontaneous

2) surgical intervention