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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 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...
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.
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology01:10

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...
Pleura of the Lungs01:13

Pleura of the Lungs

The lungs are nestled in a cavity, shielded by the pleura. The pleura, a form of serous membrane, wraps around each lung. This membrane arrangement consists of two layers: the visceral and parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura lines the surface of the lungIn contrast, the parietal pleura is the outer layer and contacts to the thoracic wall, the mediastinum, and the diaphragm. The hilum is the point of connection between the visceral and parietal layers. The space between the parietal and...
Assessment of Respiration01:23

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...

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Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
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Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome

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Occult pneumothorax, revisited.

Hesham R Omar1, Hany Abdelmalak, Devanand Mangar

  • 1Departement of Internal Medicine, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA. hesham_omar2003@yahoo.com.

Journal of Trauma Management & Outcomes
|November 2, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Occult pneumothorax, often missed on initial X-rays, can be fatal in trauma patients, especially those on ventilators. Early detection via CT or ultrasound is crucial for timely intervention and preventing death.

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05:50

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

Published on: March 12, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Trauma Surgery

Background:

  • Pneumothorax is a leading cause of preventable death in chest trauma patients.
  • Cervical spine immobilization in trauma necessitates supine AP chest radiography, which has limited sensitivity for pneumothorax detection compared to CT.
  • Occult pneumothorax, though often asymptomatic, can have fatal consequences in mechanically ventilated patients due to positive pressure ventilation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the concept of occult pneumothorax in trauma patients.
  • To emphasize the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of pneumothorax.
  • To recommend advanced imaging modalities for improved detection rates.

Main Methods:

  • Review of radiological examples illustrating occult pneumothorax.
  • Discussion of the limitations of supine AP chest radiography in trauma.
  • Comparison of diagnostic sensitivities between radiography, CT, and ultrasound.

Main Results:

  • Occult pneumothorax can be a clinically silent condition.
  • A negative initial radiograph can delay diagnosis, posing significant risk.
  • Mechanically ventilated patients are at high risk for adverse outcomes if pneumothorax is missed.

Conclusions:

  • Trauma patients with respiratory distress require screening beyond standard radiography.
  • Thoracic ultrasonography or chest CT scan are recommended for definitive diagnosis.
  • Prompt recognition and intervention for pneumothorax are critical for survival in trauma.