Episode 213: Pneumothorax cover art

Episode 213: Pneumothorax

Episode 213: Pneumothorax

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

We break down pneumothorax: risks, diagnosis, and management pearls.

Hosts:
Christopher Pham, MD
Brian Gilberti, MD

https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Pneumothorax.mp3 Download Leave a Comment Tags: Chest Trauma, Pulmonary, Trauma Show Notes Risk Factors for Pneumothorax
  • Secondary pneumothorax
    • Trauma: rib fractures, blunt chest trauma (as in the case).
    • Iatrogenic: central line placement, thoracentesis, pleural procedures.
  • Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
    • Young, tall, thin males (10–30 years).
    • Connective tissue disorders: Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos.
    • Underlying lung disease: COPD with bullae, interstitial lung disease, CF, TB, malignancy.
  • Technically, anyone is at risk.
Symptoms & Differential Diagnosis
  • Typical PTX presentation: Dyspnea, chest pain, pleuritic discomfort.
  • Exam clues: unilateral decreased breath sounds, focal tenderness/crepitus.
  • Red flags (suggest tension PTX):
    • JVD
    • Tracheal deviation
    • Hypotension, shock physiology
    • Severe tachycardia, hypoxia
  • Differential diagnoses:
    • Pulmonary: asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary edema (SCAPE), ILD, infections.
    • Cardiac: ACS, CHF, pericarditis.
    • PE and other acute causes of dyspnea.
Diagnostics
  • Bloodwork: limited role, except type & screen if intervention likely.
  • EKG: reasonable given chest pain/shortness of breath.
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.