Air getting in pleural cavity causing collapse of the lung
Becomes a tensions Pneumothorax when the pressure causes a shift in the mediastinum → impairment of cardiopulmonary system
Causes/Factors
- COPD
- asthma
- pneumonia
- Lung Abscess
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Trauma
- Spontaneous
Symptoms
Determined by size of air leak and speed at which it occurs
- Chest pain
- Dyspnoea - shallow rapid
- If secondary to COPD or asthma may present with sudden deterioration
Signs
Diagnosis can be made on signs in server cases
- Deviated trachea (tension)
- Reduced breath sounds on the side
- Hypoxia
- Hyper-resonant to percussion
Diagnostic Tests
- CXR: - Air = black - Deviated mediastinum
Management
- Small pneumothoraxes resolve often without intervention
- For large ones the air needs to be aspirated with a syringe or a chest tube
- Pleurodesis (sticking lung to chest wall) may be used if there is a significant risk of repeat episodes