This document discusses pneumothorax and hemothorax. It defines pneumothorax as a collection of air in the pleural space, which can be spontaneous or traumatic. Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition where air builds up pressure in the pleural space. Hemothorax is defined as a collection of blood in the pleural space. The document covers causes, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, and treatment approaches for pneumothorax and hemothorax.

1. Pneumothorax
&
Hemothorax
By
Farshid Mokhberi
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

2. PulmonaryVentilation
 BOYLE’S LAW
 Gas pressure in closed container is inversely proportional to
volume of container
 Pressure differences and Air flow
 From high to low gradient

3. Pressures
 Atmospheric pressure – 760 mm Hg
 Intrapleural pressure – 756 mm Hg
 Intrapulmonary pressure (Alveolar pressure) – varies,
pressure inside lungs
 Transpulmonary Pressure – difference between the alveolar
pressure and intrapleural pressure in the lung
 Ptp = Palv – Pip

5. Under Physiological Conditions
 Normally: Atmospheric P. > Alveolar P. > Intrapulmonary P.
 Transpulmonary pressure is always positive
 Intrapleural pressure is always negative and relatively large
 Alveolar pressure moves from slightly positive to slightly
negative as a person breathes
 For a given lung volume the transpulmonary pressure is equal
and opposite to the elastic recoil pressure of the lung.

6. Under Pathological Condition
 When transpulmonary pressure = Zero
 Remember: Ptp = Palv – Pip
 Alveolar pressure = Intrapleural pressure
 Examples:
 When the lungs are removed from the chest cavity
 Air enters the intrapleural space  Pneumothorax
 Under both conditions the lungs collapse as a result of their
inherent elastic recoil

7. Pneumothorax
 Definition: Collection of air with in the pleural space
 Due to rupture of a subpleural or intrapleural bleb
 Intrapleural pressure is the same as the atmospheric pressure
 Transforms the potential space into a real one
 With Progression, the intrapleural pressure may exceed
atmospheric pressure creating a tension-scenario
 Impairs respiratory function
 Decreases venous return to the right side of the heart

8. Classification of Pneumothorax
 Spontaneous Pneumothorax
 Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
 Occurs without a precipitating event in a person who does not have
known lung disease
 Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
 Occurs due to an underlying lung disease
 Traumatic/Tension Pneumothorax
 Pulmonary source
 Tracheobronchial source
 Esophageal source

9. Epidemiology of Spontaneous
Pneumothorax
 More common in men than women
 Spontaneous pneumothorax: commonly seen in tall, thin,
young men 20 to 40 years of age
 Risk increases with smoking
 Approximately 25% recurrence rate within 2 years

10. Causes of Spontaneous Pneumothorax
 Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax
 Idiopathic  most common
 Scuba Diving
 Marfan Syndrome
 Homocystinuria
 Thoracic endometriosis
 Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax
 COPD (most common), Asthma & Cystic Fibrosis
 Immunocompromised Infections
 Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia  On the rise due to AIDS
 TB & Cocci

11. Pathogenesis of Spontaneous
Pneumothorax
 Rupture of the apical subpleural or intrapleural bleb produces
a hole in the pleura.
 Pleural cavity pressure is the same as the atmospheric
pressure.
 Spontaneous pneumothorax: loss of negative intrathoracic
pressure
 Causes a portion of lung or the entire lung to collapse

12. Hypoxemia & Hypercapnia
 Hypoxemia is common
 collapsed and poorly ventilated portions of lung continue to
receive significant perfusion V/Q mismatch
 Hypercapnia is unusual
 underlying lung function is relatively normal and adequate
alveolar ventilation can be maintained by the contralateral lung

13. Clinical Findings in Spontaneous
Pneumothorax
 Sudden onset of dyspnea with pleuritic type of chest pain
(90%)
 Physical examination
 Tympanic percussion note
 Absent breath sounds
 Trachea deviated to the side of the collapse if there is total lung
collapse

14. Upright chest x-ray
 White visceral pleural line
 Absence of vessel markings peripheral to line

15. Treatment of Spontaneous
Pneumothorax
 Observation alone if asymptomatic and pneumothorax < 15%
 One hundred percent oxygen administration
 Reduces partial pressure of nitrogen  increases rate of
pneumothorax absorption
 Chest tube insertion or thoracoscopy may be required.
 V.A.T.S. (Video AssistedThoracoscopic Surgery) is becoming the
standard

17. Tension Pneumothorax
 Definition: A tension pneumothorax is generally considered
to be present when a pneumothorax leads to significant
impairment of respiration and/or blood circulation

18. Causes ofTension Pneumothorax
 Penetrating trauma to the lungs (e.g., knife wound)  valve
type of pleural tear
 Rupture of tension pneumatocysts

19. Pathogenesis ofTension Pneumothorax
 Flap-like pleural tear (check valve) allows air into the pleural
cavity but prevents its exit.
 Similar in concept to filling a tire up with air
 Increased pleural cavity pressure
 Increase in pleural cavity pressure with each breath
 Produces compression atelectasis
 a condition in which a region of the lung cannot be ventilated as
a result of intrathoracic pressures that compress the alveoli in
that region

20. Clinical Findings ofTension
Pneumothorax
 Sudden onset of severe dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain
 Physical examination
 Tympanic percussion note and absent breath sounds
 Trachea and mediastinal structures deviate to contralateral side
if large tension pneumothorax
 Compromised venous return to the heart, if the
pneumothorax is located on the left side
 Due to obstruction of the venous return

23. Treatment ofTension Pneumothorax
 Relieve pressure first.
 Insert a needle into the second intercostal space on the
midclavicular line.
 Insert a chest tube.

24. Hemothorax
 Definition: The collection of blood between the visceral and
parietal pleura  In the pleural space

25. Causes of Hemothorax
 Pulmonary: Bullous Emphysema, PE, Infection,TB,AVM’s
 Pleural:Torn adhesions, Endometriosis
 Neoplastic: Primary, Metastatic (Melanoma)
 Blood Pathology:Thrombocytopenia, Hemophilia,
Anticoagulation medications (Heparin,Warfarin)
 Thoracic Pathology: Ruptured aorta

26. Pathogenesis of Hemothorax
 The accumulation of pleural blood forms a stable clot
 Overall ventilation & Oxygenation becomes impaired
 Mechanical compression of the lung parenchyma
 Mediastinal shift
 Flattening of the hemidiaphragm

27. Clinical Findings of Hemothorax
 Dyspnea
 Tachypnea
 Cyanosis  Due to loss of blood
 Hypotension  Due to loss of blood
 Tachycardia  Normal Response to hypotenstion
 Tracheal deviation to unaffected side
 Decrease or absent of breath sounds on the affected side

29. Treatment of Hemothorax
 Goal of treatment: To remove the pleural blood and allow
for complete lung re-expansion
 Thoracocentesis orThoracostomy  Remove blood

31. ThankYou

32. References:
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Waltham, MA, 2013.
 Light, RW. Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax. In: UpToDate, Basow, DS (Ed: 19.3),
UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2013.
 MacDuffA, Arnold A, Harvey J, BTS Pleural Disease Guideline Group (December 2010).
"Management of spontaneous pneumothorax: BritishThoracic Society pleural disease guideline
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 Leigh-Smith S, HarrisT (January 2005). "Tension pneumothorax—time for a re-think?".
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 Misthos, P; Kakaris S, Sepsas E et al. (May 2004). "A prospective analysis of occult
pneumothorax, delayed pneumothorax and delayed hemothorax after minor blunt thoracic
trauma". European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery 25 (5): 859–864.
doi:10.1016/j.ejcts.2004.01.044
 Rapid Review Pathology Revised Reprint:With STUDENTCONSULTOnlineAccess, 3e by Edward
F. Goljan MD (Apr 29, 2011)