This site is targeted at medical and radiology professionals, contains user contributed content, and material that may be confusing to a lay audience. Use of this site implies acceptance of our Terms of Use.

Tension pneumothorax

Case contributed by: Dr Frank Gaillard

From the case: Tension pneumothorax

Modality: X-ray

From the case: Tension pneumothorax

Modality: MRI

Post chest tube

Case Discussion:

Tension pneumothorax in a neonate.

An ET tube in position is a little high. There are bilateral pneumothoraces. On the right side there is a tension pneumothorax with depression of the diaphragm and mediastinal shift towards the left. The right lung appears almost completely collapsed. On the left side the pneumothorax is subpulmonic. The left lung is hypoinflated and compressed.

Second film has chest tube in situ (it is actually an IV cannula)