Pulmonary Flashcards
what is a pleural effusion
an abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural space
what are the symptoms of a pleural effusion?
- asymptomatic
- increasing breathlessness
- pleuritic chest pain
- dull ache
- dry cough
- weight loss
- fever
- malaise
- night sweats
what are the signs of a pleural effusion?
- chest on effected side: decreased expansion, stony dullness to percussion, decreased breath sounds and absent vocal resonance
- clubbing
- tar staining on fingers
- cervical lymphadenopathy
- raised JVP
- trachea deviates away from large effusion
- peripheral oedema
- tumour growth through chest wall (sometimes)
What is the definition of transudate causes of pleural effusion?
When the pleural fluid protein is less than 30g/l
What is the definition of exudate causes of pleural effusion?
When the pleural fluid protein is more than 30g/l
What are the transudate causes of a pleural effusion?
- Left ventricular failure
- Liver cirrhosis
- Hypoalbuminaemia
- Peritoneal dialysis
What are the exudate causes of a pleural effusion?
- Malignancy
- Parapneumonic
What investigations would you do for a transudate pleural effusion?
they usually don’t require any investigation
What investigations would you do for an exudate pleural effusion
- Chest radiograph
- Contrast enhanced CT of thorax
- Pleural aspirations
- Biopsy
- Thoracoscopy
What is the management of a pleural effusion
- Treatment directed at the cause
- Palliative management (repeated pleura aspirations)
- Pleurodesis
- Surgical procedures (surgical pleurodesis or talc insufflation)
What is a pneumothorax?
The presence of air within the pleural cavity
What are the causes of a pneumothorax?
- Primary spontaneous (no clinically apparent disease and is mostly in tall, thin young men)
- Secondary spontaneous (pre-existing lung disease and can happen with pretty much all major lung diseases)
- Non-iatrogenic traumatic (blunt or penetrating chest injury)
- Iatrogenic traumatic (due to Dr. e.g. lung biopsy)
- Tension
What are the symptoms of a pneumothorax?
- Asymptomatic
- Acute breathlessness, worsening breathlessness
- Pleuritic chest pain
- extreme dyspneoa
What are the general signs of a pneumothorax?
- No signs if small
- Surgical emphysema
What are the signs of a non-tension pneumothorax?
- Trachea deviated to the affected side
- Decreased expansion
- Hyper-resonant
- Absent or decreased breathsounds
What are the signs of a tension pneumothorax?
- Trachea deviates away from affected side
- Haemodynamic compromise
- Increased JVP
What is the management of a tension pneumothorax?
- Cannula, 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
- Then insert chest drain
What is the management of a small primary pneumothorax with no breathlessness?
- observe overnight, repeat CXR, if no change the hole has sealed
- Discharge, advice no vigorous activity and to return if they are breathless
What is the treatment for a breathless primary pneumothorax?
- Aspirate pneumothorax (patient at 45 degrees)
- Aspirate until you feel the tip of venflon just beneath the surface of the chest wall
- Aspirate >3L: persistent air leak
- CXR + observation (24h)
- If unsuccessful: chest drain
What is the treatment for a secondary pneumothorax?
- May try to aspirate if small
- Insert an intercostal chest drain: 4th intercostal space, midaxillary line, small bore 10-14F
What is mesothelioma?
Pleural malignancy
Where else can mesothelioma occur?
In the peritoneum
What is the main cause of mesothelioma?
Asbestos
What is the clinical presentation of mesothelioma?
- Breathlessness
- Chest wall pain