Pneumothorax Flashcards

1
Q

Pneumothorax

A

Air in the pleural space (from outside or from the lungs)

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2
Q

Causes of pneumothorax

A
  1. Spontaneous (young thin men) due to rupture of sub-pleural bullae.
  2. Trauma.
  3. Iatrogenic.
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3
Q

What causes lung collapse?

A

Pneumothorax abolishes the transmural pressure gradient.

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4
Q

Signs of pneumothorax

A

Dyspnoea & pleuritic chest pain.

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5
Q

Signs of pneumothorax

A

Hyper-resonant percussion note, decreased/absent breath sounds, reduced expansion.

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6
Q

Signs of tension pneumothorax

A

Tracheal deviation

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7
Q

Investigations

A

CXR & ABGs

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8
Q

Treatment of pneumothorax due to trauma or mechanical ventilation

A

Requires chest drain

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9
Q

Treatment of pneumothorax

A

<2cm => observe + O2.
>2cm => Percutaneous aspiration.

2nd line: chest drain, 4/5th intercostal space, midaxillary line.

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10
Q

Tension Pneumothorax

A

Leak of air from lung into thoracic space creates a high pressure within the thoracic cavity, pushing the mediastinum away.

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11
Q

How does tension pneumothorax reduce cardiac output

A

Pressure rises so high that it prevents venous return though SVC.

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12
Q

Treatment for Tension Pneumothorax

A

High floe O2, needle decompression with large bore needle in anterior 2nd intercostal space a mid clavicular line => then chest drain.

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