Pneumothorax Flashcards
What is a pneumothorax?
An abnormal collection of air in the pleural space between the lung and chest wall
What is a primary spontaneous pneumothorax?
A pneumothorax which occurs without preceeding trauma or a precipitating event and develops in a person without clinically apparent pulmonary disease
What is a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax?
This is a pneumothorax which occurs as a complication of an underling respiratory disease such asCOPD
A traumatic pneumothorax results from…?
A penetrating or blunt injury to the chest
Describe the pathophysiology of a pneumothorax?
Normally, alveolar pressure is greater than intrapleural pressure, while the intrapleural, pressure is less than atmospheric pressure
If a communication develops between an alveolus and the pleural space or between the atmosphere and the pleural space, due to these pressure differences gases will follow the pressure gradient and flow into the pleural space
This flow continues until the pressure gradient no longer exists or the abnormal communication has been sealed
What are the risk factors of a pneumothorax?
Smoking Family history of pneumothorax Tall and slender body build Age of less than 40 COPD Acute severe asthma TB CF Recent invasive medical procedure Chest trauma
What are the symptoms of a pneumothorax?
Chest pain on the same side as the pneumothorax
Dyspnoea - the degree of which depends on the size of the peumothorax
Hyperexpanded ipsilateral hemithorax
Hyperresonant ipsilateral hemithorax
Ipsilateral absent or diminished breath sounds
What does a pneumothorax look like on an CXR?
Presence of visceral pleural line
Lung atelectasis
Loss of volume
Other than a CXR what other investigation should be done for a pneumothorax?
CT of chest
CHest ultrasound
Bronchoscopy
How is a pneumothorax treated?
Supplemental oxygen therapy and observation with possible per cutaneous aspiration via a chest drain
