Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

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Q) 15 year old boy, with Spontaneous pneumothorax. He is dyspneic with increased RR

Next best step

a) Vats and pleurodesis

b) Needle aspiration

c) Tube thoracostomy

d) Any of the above

Ans c

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in young patients without significant lung disease, whereas secondary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in patients with COPD.

The most common cause of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is rupture of small apical blebs. Tube thoracostomy with water seal drainage is the usual first-line treatment of a moderate-to-large pneumothorax in a patient with a first-time occurrence.