Pneumothorax & Pleural effusion Flashcards
Define a pneumothorax
presence of air between the visceral and parietal pleura
What is the commonest place for the air to come from.
Lung
What demographic is is a simple pneumothorax most common in?
Young, tall thin males
What pathology usually causes a spontaneous pneumothorax?
Sub-peural bleb or bulla that burts allowing air into the pleural cavity
What can cause a secondary pneumothorax?
underlying lung disease, trauma latrogenic
Symptoms of simple pneumothorax?
sudden onset pleuritic chest pain and breathlessness
What is the treatment for a large pneumothorax?
Chest drain in safe triangle, 5th intercostal space mid-axillary line, just above 6th rib
What can you ask the patient to do to make sure a chest drain is working properly?
Cough
Define a tension pneumothorax
any size pneumothorax causing mediastinal shift and cardiovascular collapse
What are the signs of tension pneumothorax?
Raised JVP, deviated trachea, displaced apex beat, tachycardia and hypotension
What is the treatment for tension pneumothorax?
Venflon cannula into second intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line. ( when stable insert chest drain)
What is a pleural effusion?
An excess of fluid in the pleural cavity, imbalance between pleural production and absorption
How much pleural fluid is produced each day?
2400ml
What is the commonest cause of pleural effusion with transudate?
Congestive heart failure
What are the common causes of pleural effusion with exudate?
Infection, cancer and pulmonary infarction
