Tension Pneumothorax

Chris Adkins

Definition

(1)

tension pneumothorax (noun) Definition of TENSION PNEUMOTHORAX

pneumothorax resulting from a wound in the chest wall which acts as a valve that permits air to enter the pleural cavity but prevents its escape

Definition
pleural cavity (noun)

(2)

the space that is formed when the two layers of the pleura spread apartcalled also pleural space

Definition
r-\ pleura noun \plu plural pleurae or pleuras Definition of PLEURA

(3)

either of a pair of two-walled sacs of serous membrane each of which lines one lateral half of the thorax, has an inner visceral layer closely adherent to the corresponding lung, is reflected at the root of the lung to form a parietal layer that adheres to the walls of the thorax, the pericardium, the upper surface of the diaphragm, and adjacent parts, and contains a small amount of serous fluid that minimizes the friction of respiratory movements

Tension Pneumothorax

(4)

Types
Primary Spontaneous

(5)

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) occurs in people without underlying lung disease and in the absence of an inciting event (see the images below).[1] In other words, air enters into the intrapleural space without preceding trauma and without an underlying history of clinical lung disease. However, many patients whose condition is labeled as primary spontaneous pneumothorax have subclinical lung disease, such as pleural blebs, that can be detected by CT scanning. Patients are typically aged 18-40 years, tall, thin, and, often, are smokers.

Types
Secondary Spontaneous

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Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) occurs in people with a wide variety of parenchymal lung diseases.[1] These individuals have underlying pulmonary pathology that alters normal lung structure (see the image below). Air enters the pleural space via distended, damaged, or compromised alveoli. The presentation of these patients may include more serious clinical symptoms and sequelae due to comorbid conditions.

Types
Traumatic

(5)

Traumatic pneumothorax results from blunt trauma or penetrating trauma that disrupts the parietal or visceral pleura (see the images below). Management steps for traumatic pneumothoraces are similar to those for other, nontraumatic causes. If hemodynamic or respiratory status is compromised or an open (communicating to the atmosphere) and/or hemothorax are also present, tube thoracostomy is performed to evacuate air and allow re-expansion of the lung. There is a subset of traumatic pneumothoraces classified as occult; that is, they cannot be seen on chest radiographs but can be seen on CT scans. In general, these can be observed and treated if they become symptomatic.

References
(1) Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/medical/tension+pneumothorax (2) Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/medical/pleural+cavity (3) Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/medical/pleura (4) Retrieved from http://www.doereport.com/enlargeexhibit.php?ID=10104 (5) retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/424547-overview