Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
In contrast, tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency and may be treated before imaging – especially if there is severe hypoxia, very low blood pressure, or an impaired level of consciousness. In tension pneumothorax, X-rays are sometimes required if there is doubt about the anatomical location of the pneumothorax. [16] [18]
Causes include any obstruction of blood flow to and from the heart. There are multiple, including pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade, and tension pneumothorax. Other causes include abdominal compartment syndrome, Hiatal hernia, severe aortic valve stenosis, and disorders of the aorta. Constrictive pericarditis is a rare cause.
Tension pneumothorax is the build-up of air into one of the pleural cavities, which causes a mediastinal shift. When this happens, the great vessels (particularly the superior vena cava ) become kinked, which limits blood return to the heart .
Causes: Low volume: Severe bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, or pancreatitis [1] Cardiogenic: severe heart attack (especially of the left or right ventricles), severe heart failure, cardiac contusion [1] Obstructive: Cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax [1] Distributive: Sepsis, spinal cord injury, certain overdoses [1] Diagnostic ...
Left tension pneumothorax with a large, well-demarcated area devoid of lung markings with tracheal deviation and movement of the heart away from the affected side. Mediastinal shift is an abnormal movement of the mediastinal structures toward one side of the chest cavity .
Image shows early occurrence of tracheal deviation. Tracheal deviation is a clinical sign that results from unequal intrathoracic pressure within the chest cavity.It is most commonly associated with traumatic pneumothorax, but can be caused by a number of both acute and chronic health issues, such as pneumonectomy, atelectasis, pleural effusion, fibrothorax (pleural fibrosis), or some cancers ...
While hemorrhage is the most common cause of shock in the trauma patient, other causes of shock are to remain on the differential. Obstructive shock can occur in the setting of tension pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade. These etiologies should be uncovered in the primary survey. [3]
Therefore, pneumothorax is usually more of a problem than hemothorax. [8] A pneumothorax may form or be turned into a tension pneumothorax by mechanical ventilation, which may force air out of the tear in the lung. [12] The laceration may also close up by itself, which can cause it to trap blood and potentially form a cyst or hematoma. [8]