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

(2)

pleural cavity (noun)

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

Definition

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pleura noun \pluu r-\

plural pleurae or pleuras
Definition of PLEURA
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

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Types

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Primary Spontaneous
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

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Secondary Spontaneous
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

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