Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis01:26

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Flail Chest-II01:26

Flail Chest-II

Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Screening for severe acute respiratory syndrome in the emergency department.

Annals of emergency medicine·2004
Same author

Surgeon-performed thoracic sonography for ruling out pneumothorax.

The Journal of trauma·2004
Same author

Preventive treatment for re-expansion pulmonary oedema.

European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine·2003
Same author

Emergency bedside ultrasound to detect pneumothorax.

Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine·2003
Same author

Predictors of positive stool culture in adult patients with acute infectious diarrhea.

The Journal of emergency medicine·2002
Same author

The Pneumonia Severity Index as a decision-making tool to guide patient disposition.

The American journal of emergency medicine·2002

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
05:50

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

Published on: March 12, 2020

Tension pneumothorax managed without immediate needle decompression.

Stewart Siu Wa Chan1

  • 1Accident and Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|November 3, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Needle decompression is standard for tension pneumothorax. However, this case suggests careful monitoring and chest tube drainage may suffice for stable, spontaneously breathing patients, challenging traditional emergency medicine protocols.

More Related Videos

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
03:22

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion

Published on: November 10, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
05:50

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

Published on: March 12, 2020

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
03:22

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion

Published on: November 10, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Critical Care

Background:

  • Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention.
  • Standard treatment guidelines advocate for needle decompression as the primary life-saving measure.

Observation:

  • A case study involving an 85-year-old man with tension pneumothorax who did not undergo immediate needle decompression.
  • The patient was spontaneously breathing and hemodynamically stable.

Findings:

  • Spontaneously breathing patients with tension pneumothorax may have a slower rate of deterioration compared to ventilated patients.
  • Careful monitoring, prompt radiography, and chest tube drainage can be a viable alternative to immediate needle decompression in select cases.

Implications:

  • Emergency physicians should consider a nuanced approach to tension pneumothorax management, balancing risks and benefits.
  • This challenges the universal application of immediate needle decompression, particularly in non-ventilated, stable patients.
  • Further research is warranted to refine management protocols for tension pneumothorax in spontaneously breathing individuals.