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BMC Pulmonary Medicine Mar 2021Pneumothorax is an extrapulmonary air accumulation within the pleural space between the lung and chest wall. Once pneumothorax acquires tension physiology, it turns into...
BACKGROUND
Pneumothorax is an extrapulmonary air accumulation within the pleural space between the lung and chest wall. Once pneumothorax acquires tension physiology, it turns into a potentially lethal condition requiring prompt surgical intervention. Common symptoms are chest pain and dyspnea; hence an electrocardiogram (ECG) is often performed in emergent settings. However, early diagnosis of pneumothorax remains challenging since chest pain and dyspnea are common symptomatology in various life-threatening emergencies, often leading to overlooked or delayed diagnosis. While the majority of left-sided pneumothorax-related ECG abnormalities have been reported, right-sided pneumothorax-related ECG abnormalities remain elucidated.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 51-year-old man presented to the emergency department with acute-onset chest pain and dyspnea. Upon initial examination, the patient had a blood pressure of 98/68 mmHg, tachycardia of 100 beats/min, tachypnea of 28 breaths/min, and oxygen saturation of 94% on ambient air. Chest auscultation revealed decreased breath sounds on the right side. ECG revealed sinus tachycardia, phasic voltage variation of QRS complexes in V4-6, P-pulmonale, and vertical P-wave axis. Chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed a large right-sided pneumothorax. The patient's symptoms, all the ECG abnormalities, and increased heart rate on the initial presentation resolved following an emergent tube thoracostomy. Moreover, we found that these ECG abnormalities consisted of two independent factors: respiratory components and the diaphragm level. Besides, CT scans demonstrated the large bullae with a maximum diameter of 46 × 49 mm in the right lung apex. Finally, the patient showed complete recovery with a thoracoscopic bullectomy.
CONCLUSIONS
Herein, we describe a case of a large right-sided primary spontaneous pneumothorax with characteristic ECG findings that resolved following re-expansion of the lung. Our case may shed new light on the mechanisms underlying ECG abnormalities associated with a large right-sided pneumothorax. Moreover, ECG manifestations may provide useful information to suspect a large pneumothorax or tension pneumothorax in emergent settings where ECGs are performed on patients with acute chest pain and dyspnea.
Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Chest Pain; Dyspnea; Electrocardiography; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumothorax; Thoracoscopy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 33757495
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01470-1 -
Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical... 2021Pneumothorax has been frequently described as a complication of COVID-19 infections.
BACKGROUND
Pneumothorax has been frequently described as a complication of COVID-19 infections.
OBJECTIVE
In this systematic review, we describe the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of COVID-19-related pneumothorax.
METHODS
Studies were identified through MEDLINE, Pubmed, and Google Scholar databases using keywords of "COVID-19," "SARS-CoV-2," "pneumothorax," "pneumomediastinum," and "barotrauma" from January 1st, 2020 to January 30th, 2021.
RESULTS
Among the nine observational studies, the incidence of pneumothorax is low at 0.3% in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. However, the incidence of pneumothorax increases to 12.8-23.8% in those requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with a high mortality rate up to 100%. COVID-19-related pneumothorax tends to be unilateral and right-sided. Age, pre-existing lung diseases, and active smoking status are not shown to be risk factors. The time to pneumothorax diagnosis is around 9.0-19.6 days from admission and 5.4 days after IMV initiation. COVID-19-related pneumothoraces are associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased likelihood of ICU admission and death, especially among the elderly.
CONCLUSION
COVID-19-related pneumothorax likely signify greater disease severity. With the high variability of COVID-19-related pneumothorax incidence described, a well-designed study is required to better assess the significance of COVID-19-related pneumothorax.
Topics: Aged; COVID-19; Humans; Incidence; Mediastinal Emphysema; Pneumothorax; Respiration, Artificial; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34087677
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.04.005 -
Neurology India 2023Pneumothorax is reported as a complication of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The present report describes the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of...
BACKGROUND
Pneumothorax is reported as a complication of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The present report describes the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of pneumothorax in acute neurologically ill COVID-19 positive patients admitted to the COVID-19 neuro-intensive care unit (CNICU).
METHODS
In this retrospective study, pneumothorax was identified by reviewing chest radiographs of acute neurologically ill patients with and without associated COVID-19 admitted to the CNICU and non-COVID-19 NICU, respectively, from July to November 2020. The clinico-epidemiological characteristics of acute neurologically ill COVID-19 positive patients with pneumothorax are described.
RESULTS
The incidence of pneumothorax was 17% (8/47) in acute neurologically ill COVID-19 positive patients in the CNICU and 14.6% (6/41) in patients who received mechanical ventilation (MV). In contrast, the incidence of pneumothorax in acute neurologically ill non-COVID-19 patients admitted to the NICU was 3.7% (7/188) and 0.69% (1/143) in patients receiving MV.
CONCLUSION
In our study, the incidence of pneumothorax was higher in patients with concomitant neurological and COVID-19 diseases than in acute neurologically ill non-COVID-19 patients managed during the same period in the ICUs.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Retrospective Studies; Pneumothorax; Intensive Care Units
PubMed: 37929437
DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.388125 -
Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular... Dec 2022The best treatment strategy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax is controversial and varies widely in practice. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
The best treatment strategy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax is controversial and varies widely in practice.
METHODS
Literatures were searched from databases till 24 August 2021. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the outcomes of various treatments with the following endpoints: recurrence rate, postoperative chest tube duration, postoperative air leakage duration, length of hospital stay, and complications rate.
RESULTS
In all, 7210 patients of 20 randomized controlled trials and 17 cohort studies were included. Surgery had a significantly lower recurrence rate compared to other treatments. Besides, bullectomy (BT) combined with chemical pleurodesis (CP), mechanical pleurodesis, or staple line coverage (SLC) can reduce the recurrence rate compared to BT alone, but none of them were statistically significant. In terms of reducing chest tube duration, BT with tubular Neoveil outperformed BT + pleural abrasion (mean difference [MD], 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.5 [-4.63, -0.35]) and BT + apical pleurectomy (MD, 95% CI: -2.72 [-5.16, -0.27]).
CONCLUSIONS
Surgical methods were superior to manual aspiration (MA), chest tube drainage (CTD), and conservative treatment in terms of recurrence reduction. There was no significant difference between MA and CTD in reducing the recurrence rate. Among surgical methods, CP is more effective than mechanical pleurodesis and SLC among the additional procedures based on BT.
Topics: Humans; Pneumothorax; Network Meta-Analysis; Bayes Theorem; Treatment Outcome; Recurrence; Pleurodesis; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
PubMed: 36002271
DOI: 10.5761/atcs.oa.22-00113 -
Clinical Imaging Oct 2022To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of barotrauma (pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema) in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. To...
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of barotrauma (pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema) in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. To describe the chest radiography patterns of barotrauma and understand the development in relation to mechanical ventilation and patient mortality.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of 363 patients with COVID-19 from March 1 to April 8, 2020. Primary outcomes were pneumomediastinum or subcutaneous emphysema with or without pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum, or pneumoretroperitoneum. The secondary outcomes were length of intubation and death. In patients with pneumomediastinum and/or subcutaneous emphysema, we conducted an imaging review to determine the timeline of barotrauma development.
RESULTS
Forty three out of 363 (12%) patients developed barotrauma radiographically. The median time to development of either pneumomediastinum or subcutaneous emphysema was 2 days (IQR 1.0-4.5) after intubation and the median time to pneumothorax was 7 days (IQR 2.0-10.0). The overall incidence of pneumothorax was 28/363 (8%) with an incidence of 17/43 (40%) in the barotrauma cohort and 11/320 (3%) in those without barotrauma (p ≤ 0.001). In total, 257/363 (71%) patients died with an increase in mortality in those with barotrauma 33/43 (77%) vs. 224/320 (70%). When adjusting for covariates, barotrauma was associated with increased odds of death (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.25-7.17).
CONCLUSION
Barotrauma is a frequent complication of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. In comparison to intubated COVID-19 patients without barotrauma, there is a higher rate of pneumothorax and an increased risk of death.
Topics: Barotrauma; COVID-19; Humans; Incidence; Mediastinal Emphysema; Pneumothorax; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Subcutaneous Emphysema
PubMed: 35926316
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2022.06.014 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2023
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Pneumothorax; Pneumopericardium; Mediastinal Emphysema; Fistula
PubMed: 37493746
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0188-2023 -
Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia :... 2016With the advent of HRCT, primary spontaneous pneumothorax has come to be better understood and managed, because its etiology can now be identified in most cases. Primary...
With the advent of HRCT, primary spontaneous pneumothorax has come to be better understood and managed, because its etiology can now be identified in most cases. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is mainly caused by the rupture of a small subpleural emphysematous vesicle (designated a bleb) or of a subpleural paraseptal emphysematous lesion (designated a bulla). The aim of this pictorial essay was to improve the understanding of primary spontaneous pneumothorax and to propose a description of the major anatomical lesions found during surgery. RESUMO Com o advento da TCAR, o pneumotórax espontâneo primário passou a ser mais bem entendido e conduzido, pois sua etiologia pode ser atualmente identificada na maioria dos casos. O pneumotórax espontâneo primário tem como principal causa a rotura de uma pequena vesícula enfisematosa subpleural, denominada bleb ou de uma lesão enfisematosa parasseptal subpleural, denominada bulla. O objetivo deste ensaio pictórico foi melhorar o entendimento do pneumotórax espontâneo primário e propor uma descrição das principais lesões anatômicas encontradas durante a cirurgia.
Topics: Blister; Humans; Lung; Medical Illustration; Pneumothorax; Pulmonary Emphysema; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
PubMed: 27383937
DOI: 10.1590/S1806-37562015000000230 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Training with real patients is a critical aspect of the learning and growth of doctors in training. However, this essential step in the educational process for...
Training with real patients is a critical aspect of the learning and growth of doctors in training. However, this essential step in the educational process for clinicians can potentially compromise patient safety, as they may not be adequately prepared to handle real-life situations independently. Clinical simulators help to solve this problem by providing real-world scenarios in which the physicians can train and gain confidence by safely and repeatedly practicing different techniques. In addition, obtaining objective feedback allows subsequent debriefing by analysing the situation experienced and learning from other people's mistakes. This article presents SIMUNEO, a neonatal simulator in which professionals are able to learn by practicing the management of lung ultrasound and the resolution of pneumothorax and thoracic effusions. The article also discusses in detail the hardware and software, the main components that compose the system, and the communication and implementation of these. The system was validated through both usability questionnaires filled out by neonatology residents as well as through follow-up sessions, improvement, and control of the system with specialists of the department. Results suggest that the environment is easy to use and could be used in clinical practice to improve the learning and training of students as well as the safety of patients.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Pneumothorax; Lung; Electrocardiography
PubMed: 37447813
DOI: 10.3390/s23135966 -
The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics 2020Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory arteritis that affects the large blood vessels. Pulmonary involvement was considered an uncommon...
BACKGROUND
Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory arteritis that affects the large blood vessels. Pulmonary involvement was considered an uncommon manifestation of the disease and spontaneous pneumothorax has not been previously described in association with TA.
CASE
We report a 13-year-old female who had TA complicated by spontaneous pneumothorax during treatment. She was admitted to the hospital reporting difficulty standing from a squatting position and inability to walk without support. She had been diagnosed with dilate cardiomyopathy four years ago and cardiac functions had deteriorated over time. Catheter angiography revealed diffuse narrowing of the abdominal aorta. In magnetic resonance angiography, total-subtotal occlusion of the infrarenal abdominal aorta in a 2 cm area and subtotal occlusion of the left renal artery were detected without pulmonary artery involvement. Methotrexate, azathioprine, and prednisolone were administered. Tension pneumothorax developed on the left side while she was on prednisolone treatment.
CONCLUSION
To our knowledge, this is the first case of spontaneous pneumothorax associated with TA to be reported in the literature.
Topics: Adolescent; Aorta, Abdominal; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Pneumothorax; Prednisolone; Takayasu Arteritis
PubMed: 33108095
DOI: 10.24953/turkjped.2020.05.024 -
BMC Research Notes Dec 2022Complications after CT-guided lung biopsy is a burden both for the individual patient and for the overall healthcare. Pneumothorax is the most common complication. This...
OBJECTIVES
Complications after CT-guided lung biopsy is a burden both for the individual patient and for the overall healthcare. Pneumothorax is the most common complication. This study determined the association between lung function tests and pneumothorax and chest drainage following CT-guided lung biopsy in consecutive patients in a large university hospital.
RESULTS
We prospectively registered 875 biopsy procedures from 786 patients in one institution from January 27th 2012 to March 1st 2017 and recorded complications including pneumothorax with or without chest drainage. Lung function data from 637 patients undergoing 710 of the procedures were available. The association of lung function measures with pneumothorax with or without chest drainage was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) below 4.70 mmol/min/kPa was associated with increased occurrence of pneumothorax and chest drainage after CT guided lung biopsy. We found no association between FEV, RV and occurrence of pneumothorax and chest drainage. We found low DLCO to be a risk factor of pneumothorax and chest drainage after CT-guided lung biopsy. This should be taken into account in planning and performing the procedure.
Topics: Humans; Pneumothorax; Thorax; Image-Guided Biopsy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Lung
PubMed: 36457053
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-022-06234-6