Respiratory Conditions (Non infectious 2)

Question 1

What are the 3 types of pneumothorax?

Answer 1

Open
Closed
Tension

Question 2

What is a pneumothorax?

Answer 2

Presence of air in the pleural cavity

Question 3

What is a haemothorax?

Answer 3

Presence of blood in the pleural cavity

Question 4

What are the causes of pneumothorax?

Answer 4

1. Primary / idiopathic
   - usually tall, thin, young men
2. Secondary
   - rupture of bulla / bleb (complication of asthma, emphysema)
   - cystic fibrosis
   - rupture of tubercle in TB
   - Tx endometriosis

Question 5

Describe the 3 different types of pneumothorax

Answer 5

Open:

• opening into the pleural cavity through the chest
• usually caused by a chest wound (traumatic)
• air enters and exits pleural cavity through wound

Closed:

• entry of air into pleural space via lungs (no opening through chest)
• usually caused by spontaneous pneumothorax

Tension / valvular:

• small opening between pleura and lungs
• compression of soft tissues around opening acts like a one way valve
• air can enter pleural cavity but gets trapped and can’t leave
• intrapleural pressure deflates lung and displaces mediastinum contralaterally

Question 6

What are the SSX of a pneumothorax?

Answer 6

2 cardinal:

• sudden onset chest pain / tightness aggravated by breathing
• increasing dyspnoea

other:

• tachypnoea
• decreased tactile fremitus
• decreased breath sounds
• tension pneumothorax: tracheal and mediastinal displacement contralaterally and central cyanosis

Question 7

What is pleural effusion, and how can it be caused by lung cancer?

Answer 7

Fluid buildup in pleural space caused by:

• tumour obstructing venous or lymphatic drainage
• tumour causing increased permeability of pleural membranes

SSX:

• dry nonproductive cough
• chest pain
• dyspnoea
• need to sit or stand up to breathe

Question 8

What is pericardial effusion, and how can it be caused by lung cancer?

Answer 8

= buildup of fluid in pericardial space

• tumour obstructs lymphatic flow
• allows buildup of fluid in pericardial space

Implications:

• heart cannot stretch out fully between contractions (decreased contractility lowers cardiac output)
• chambers cannot fully empty
• hypotension and hypoxia

Question 9

What is superior vena cava syndrome, and how can it be caused by lung cancer?

Answer 9

Compression of superior vena cava by tumour

• causes obstruction of venous drainage from head, neck, upper chest and arms

SSX:

• facial and upper extremity oedema
• erythema of face and upper extremity
• dyspnoea
• chest pain
• coughing
• maybe visible venous network / congestion upper body