Pneumothorax & effusion Flashcards

1
Q

What is a pneumothorax

A

Air in pleural space (tension is where no air comes back out)
Common recurrence
No diving/change jobs/stop smoking/no high altitudes

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2
Q

Symptoms of pneumothorax

A

SOB, chest pain, cough, increased resp rate

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3
Q

Primary pneumothorax

A

In tall healthy young males (often smokers)
Apical bleb, tension rarely occurs
Drain/admission not always needed

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4
Q

Secondary pneumothorax

A

Background of known lung disease

Need a drain, and tension more common

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5
Q

Pleural Effusion

A

Large volumes of lubricating fluid between chest wall and pleura
Disturbances in hydrostatic and oncotic pressure, lymphatic drainage, altered permeability of pleural membranes

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6
Q

Signs and symptoms of pleural effusion

A

SOB, cough, pleuritic chest pain

Reduced breath sounds, dull percussion

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7
Q

Commonest causes of pleural effusion

A

Heart failure, pneumonia, malignancy

50% of pneumonias develop an effusion, 10% progress to empyema

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8
Q

Uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion

A

Resolve underlying pneumonia

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9
Q

Complicated parapneumonic effusion

A

Bacterial invasion into pleural space, drain needed

Fibrin deposition may form lobules

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10
Q

Empyema

A

Pus in pleural cavity - thickening of pleural surface

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11
Q

Treatment

A

Accurate diagnosis, antibiotics and chest drain if needed

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