pneumothorax

Question 1

what is a pneumothorax

Answer 1

abnormal collection of air in the pleural space

Question 2

what are causes of a pneumothorax

Answer 2

iatrogenic
trauma
primary spontaneous - no underlying lung disease. usually the result of the rupture of a bulla
secondary spontaneous - underlying lung disease

Question 3

what are the risk factors for a primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Answer 3

tall men, smokers (esp. cannabis)

Question 4

what are the symptoms of a pneumothorax

Answer 4

acute onset of pleuritic chest pain
dyspnoea

Question 5

what are the clinical signs of pneumothorax

Answer 5

hypoxia
tachycardia
reduced breath sounds and chest expansion (can be uni or bilateral)
hyperresonance on percussion

Question 6

what are the investigations used for a pneumothorax

Answer 6

CXR

Question 7

what is the management for a pneumothorax

Answer 7

no treatment is asymptomatic and well

acutely unwell - aspiration (5th intercostal space, midaxiliary line), is aspiration fails then insert a chest drain in the same place

Question 8

what are the complications of a pneumothorax

Answer 8

tension pneumothorax