Template:Pneumothorax diagnosis

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Clinically Stable

Defined as having all of the following:

  • Resp rate < 24
  • Heart rate 60-120 beats per minute
  • Normal BP
  • SaO2 >90% on room air and patient can speak in whole sentences

Workup

Pneumothorax.jpeg
  • CXR
    • Displaced visceral pleural line without lung markings between pleural line and chest wall
    • Upright is best
      • Expiratory films DO NOT improve accuracy[1]
    • Supine CXR = deep sulcus sign
  • CT Chest
    • Very sensitive and specific
  • Ultrasound
    • NO comet tail artifact
    • No sliding lung sign
    • Bar Code appearance on M-mode (absence of "seashore" waves)


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