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A tension pneumothorax is a life threatening condition that results from a progressive deterioration and worsening of a simple pneumothorax, associated with the formation of a one-way valve at the point of rupture. In medicine (pulmonology), a pneumothorax or collapsed lung is a medical emergency that can result from a penetrating chest wound or barotrauma to the lungs. ...
Upon inspiration, when the pressure inside the chest and pleural cavity lessens as a result of the respiratory muscles increasing chest dimensions, air is sucked in through this one way valve, into the pleural space. Because expiration is a passive process, there is an insignificant amount of pressure created to force the air back out of the pleural cavity. This condition over time results in a gradual accumulation of air to the degree that it begins to put pressure on the mediastinum, compressing the heart and decreasing cardiac output due to the reduced amount of diastolic filling of the ventricles, and also putting pressure against the trachea, deviating it from the midline. Because of the increased thoracic pressure, venous return to the heart is decreased, causing a backup of blood into the venous system, as is evidence by distended jugular veins. There are several meanings of the word inspiration: The stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions leading to creativity. ...
In anatomy, the pleural cavity is the potential space between the lungs and the chest wall. ...
Expiration (2003) is an independent feature film directed by Gavin Heffernan In respiration, expiration is initiated by a decrease in volume and positive pressure exerted upon the intrapleural space upon diaphragm relaxation. ...
The mediastinum is a non-delineated group of structures in the thorax (chest), surrounded by loose connective tissue. ...
Signs and symptoms
- Decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side
- Jugular venous distension
- Tracheal deviation towards unaffected side
- Hyper-resonance on percussion
- Unequal chest rise
- Dyspnea
- Tachypnea
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Pale, cool, clammy skin
- Subcutaneous air
- Cyanosis
Dyspnea (Latin dyspnoea, Greek dyspnoia from dyspnoos - short of breath) or shortness of breath (SOB) is perceived difficulty breathing or pain on breathing. ...
Tachypnea is a medical term for breathing which is more rapid than normal. ...
Tachycardia is an abnormally rapid beating of the heart, defined as a resting heart rate of over 100 beats per minute. ...
In physiology and medicine, hypotension refers to an abnormally low blood pressure. ...
Differentiation A tension pneumothorax is a condition whose signs and symptoms resemble very closely those of a condition called pericardial tamponade. A chest x-ray will distinguish the two. On physical exam, the differentiating factors are: Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency condition where a large amount of a liquid accumulates in the pericardium in a relatively short time. ...
- Pericardial tamponade
- Breath sounds: Equal on both sides
- Trachea: Midline
- Percussion: Normal resonance
- Pulse: Affected by breathing, called pulsus paradoxus, or simply paradoxical pulse.
- Tension pneumothorax
- Breath sounds: Decreased or absent on affected side
- Trachea: Deviated to unaffected side
- Percussion: Hyper-resonance
- Pulse: Normal
In medicine, a pulsus paradoxus (PP), also paradoxic pulse and paradoxical pulse, is a sign that is indicative of several conditions including cardiac tamponade and obstructive lung diseases (e. ...
Treatment Treatment in the prehospital setting involves the insertion of a large bore needle into the second intercostal space, mid-clavicular line to allow the release of pressure. Treatment in the hospital involves the insertion of a chest tube in the 5th intercostal space, at the anterior-axillary line. A chest tube or chest drain is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the side of the chest into the pleural space. ...
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