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Pneumothorax

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Right sided chest pain.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

A very large right-sided pneumothorax is present. There is the suggesting of minimal shift of the cardiomediastinal contents towards the left suggesting a degree of developing tension. No left-sided abnormality evident.

Case Discussion

This is a very large pneumothorax requires recognition and rapid decompression.

If there is any concern of a tension pneumothorax then even if all you perform is a needle thoracostomy inserted in the 2nd intercostal space in the midclavicular line you may well save a life as you gain valuable time before a larger underwater drain can be inserted.

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