pneumothorax Flashcards
1
Q
define a pneumothorax?
A
- air in the pleural space
2
Q
what are the other variants of a pneumothorax?
A
- haemothorax
- chylothorax
3
Q
what are the types of pneumothorax?
A
- primary
these are pneumothoraces which occur in healthy people - secondary
these are pneumothoraces that occur in people with pre-existing lung disease - tension
4
Q
what are risk factors of pneumothorax?
A
- trauma
- collagen disorders
- ventilation
- iatrogenic
5
Q
epidemiology of pneumothoraces?
A
- mainly in 20-40 yr olds
- common in males
6
Q
presenting symptoms of pneumothorax?
A
- if small might be asymptomatic
- Sudden-onset breathlessness
- pleuritic chest pain
- sweating
- tachypnoea
- tachycardia
7
Q
presenting signs of a pneumothorax?
A
- NO signs if the pneumothorax is small
- Signs of respiratory distress
- reduced expansion
- Reduced breath sounds
- hyper resonance to percussion
8
Q
presenting signs of a tension pneumothorax?
A
- tracheal deviation away from pneumothorax
- Hyperresonance on the affected side
- hypotension
- tachycardia
- cyanosis
- distended neck veins
9
Q
investigations for pneumothoraces?
A
- CXR
- ABG
10
Q
management of spontaneous pneumothoraces
A
refer to flow chart
11
Q
how to manage a tension pneumothorax?
A
- Maximum O2
- Immediately insert large bore needle into 2nd intercostal space MCL
- Up to 2.5 L of air can be aspirated
- Stop if patient coughs or resistance is felt
- Follow-up CXR 2 hrs and 2 weeks later
12
Q
how to advice a patient with pneumothorax?
A
- avoid air travel until follow up CXR
- avoid diving
- stop smoking
13
Q
complications of pneumothorax?
A
- Recurrent pneumothoraces
* Bronchopleural fistula
14
Q
prognosis for patients with pneumothoraces?
A
- common to have another
