Pneumothorax

Question 1

Definition of pneumothorax

Answer 1

Air in the pleural cavity leading to partial or complete lung collapse

Question 2

Causes of pneumothorax

Answer 2

Spontaneous - males, rupture of pleural bleb caused by congenital defect in alveolar wall
Lung disease - copd, cf, pneumonia
Trauma
Mechanical ventilation

Question 3

Presenting symptoms of pneumothorax

Answer 3

Pleuritic chest pain

Shortness of breath

Question 4

On examination of pneumothorax

Answer 4

Resp
Respiratory distress, tachypnea, reduced breath sounds, asymmetric chest expansion, hyperresonant on percussion, decreased tactile fremitis

Cardiac
Tachycardia, hypotension, pulsus paradoxus, jugular venous distension, cardiac apical displacement

Question 5

Investigations for pneumothorax

Answer 5

Cxr
Ct scan
Abg