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 apart—called also pleural space
Definition
(3)
 pleu·ra noun \ˈplu̇r-ə\
 plural pleu·rae 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
(4)
Types
(5)
 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
(5)
 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
(5)
 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.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