Tension Pneumothorax Vs Pleural Effusion

The clinical results of pneumothoraces can range from inconsequential to chest pain and decreased oxygenation to tension pneumothorax that requires immediate attention. Congestive cardiac failure or malignancy.

New Human Physiology Ch 13

Tension pneumothorax may develop when a one way valve effect occurs allowing air to enter the pleural space but not to escape fig.

Tension pneumothorax vs pleural effusion. Hydropneumothoraces or less commonly pneumohydrothorax plural. 19 2 the underlying cause is usually a pulmonary laceration or an injury to the trachea or a large bronchus. Pleural effusion is defined as accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.

Tracheal deviation is a clinical sign that results from unequal intrathoracic pressure within the chest cavity it is most commonly associated with traumatic pneumothorax but can be caused by a number of both acute and chronic health issues such as pneumonectomy atelectasis pleural effusion fibrothorax pleural fibrosis or some cancers tumors within the bronchi lung or pleural cavity. Instead it gets trapped inside putting immense pressure on the lungs heart and blood vessels. Thoracentesis bronchoscopy or thoracoscopy.

Pleural effusion is fluid trapped in the pleural space and pneumothorax is air in the pleural space. Abnormalities of the pleural space are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children worldwide and the number of children who develop clinically significant pleural effusions is increasing. Ventilators can cause pressure damage to the lungs also resulting in pneumothorax.

A tension pneumothorax is similar to a pneumothorax where there is a hole in the pleural space and air accumulates around the lung causing the lung to collapse. Gas and fluid in the pleural space. The treatment of pleural effusions is usually targeted to the underlying condition e g.

Pneumohydrothoraces is the term given to the concurrent presence of a pneumothorax and pleural effusion i e. Cox jr in pediatric surgery seventh edition 2012. Fluid is trapped w i the fissures or between parietal and visceral pleura when the pleural layers are partly fused.

Causes a pneumothorax may also result from an injury or medical procedure that introduces air into the pleural space eg. However ct can help distinguish between a pleural effusion and a pleural empyema see pleural effusion vs pleural empyema. Pleural effusions and pneumothoraces occur as a result of structural and mechanical abnormalities of the pleural space.

Loculations occur most typically with exudative pleural effusions particularly parapneumonic effusions or hemothorax these typically need a surgical procedure to correct. The pleural space is normally filled with 5 to 10 ml of serous fluid. But during a tension pneumothorax air cannot escape the pleural space.

Chest Xray