The medical history (history of the patient) represents an important component in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. Family history Social history What is your occupation? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). What symptoms have you noticed? Do you suffer from shortness of breath?* How long has this shortness of breath existed? Is it getting … Pneumothorax: Medical History
Respiratory System (J00-J99) Occult pneumothorax – form of pulmonary collapse not seen on a standard radiograph. Spontaneous tension pneumothorax – life-threatening form of pneumothorax in which increased pressure in the pleural space causes problems with blood flow to the heart, as well as impaired unfolding of the opposite lung. Other spontaneous pneumothorax Iatrogenic pneumothorax – … Pneumothorax: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by pneumothorax: Respiratory system (J00-J99) Recurrent pneumothorax – especially in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Coagulothorax/fibrothorax – consequence of not completely relieved hematothorax. Pleural empyema – accumulation of pus in the pleural space. Further Reexpansion edema – if re-expanded too quickly, pulmonary edema … Pneumothorax: Complications
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [central cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin and central mucous membranes, e.g., tongue); palpation of soft tissue emphysema/diseased air accumulation … Pneumothorax: Examination
Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Radiograph of the chest (radiographic thorax/chest), standing in expiration [pneumothorax: radiopaque, collapsed lung; typical vascular drawing absent]Note: In more than half of cases, pneumothorax remains occult (“hidden”) on radiographic chest. Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics … Pneumothorax: Diagnostic Tests
Depending on the extent of the pneumothorax, the following measures may be used: Close observation – for small pneumothorax (pleural gap <1 transverse finger) in lung healthy patients. Needle/catheter aspiration – in the stable patient, after aspiration of the air and after X-ray control, it may be possible to dispense with the placement of a … Pneumothorax: Surgical Therapy
To prevent pneumothorax, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Smoking – increases the risk in primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate pneumothorax: Symptoms of pneumothorax: Dyspnea (shortness of breath) Dry cough Sharp pain in the thorax (chest), may also radiate to the abdomen (abdomen) and/or shoulder; later, with stable pneumothorax, only dull pressure Symptoms of tension pneumothorax: Tachycardia – heartbeat too fast: > 100 beats per minute. Tachypnea – … Pneumothorax: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is characterized by mostly apical (from Latin : apex “tip”: referring to the apex) subpleural bullae (blebs, blisters). The other lung tissue is healthy. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs mainly in pre-existing adhesions. In women, a special form of secondary pneumothorax is catamenial pneumothorax, which is often caused by … Pneumothorax: Causes
General measures Close observation – in case of small pneumothorax (pleural gap < 1 transverse finger) in healthy lung. Nicotine restriction (refraining from tobacco use) – smoking increases the risk in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. For further information, see “Surgical therapy”
2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification. Blood gas analysis (ABG) Small blood count
