Pneumothorax Flashcards
1
Q
Definition of pneumothorax
A
Air in the pleural cavity leading to partial or complete lung collapse
2
Q
Causes of pneumothorax
A
Spontaneous - males, rupture of pleural bleb caused by congenital defect in alveolar wall
Lung disease - copd, cf, pneumonia
Trauma
Mechanical ventilation
3
Q
Presenting symptoms of pneumothorax
A
Pleuritic chest pain
Shortness of breath
4
Q
On examination of pneumothorax
A
Resp
Respiratory distress, tachypnea, reduced breath sounds, asymmetric chest expansion, hyperresonant on percussion, decreased tactile fremitis
Cardiac
Tachycardia, hypotension, pulsus paradoxus, jugular venous distension, cardiac apical displacement
5
Q
Investigations for pneumothorax
A
Cxr
Ct scan
Abg