What are the signs and symptoms of a pneumothorax compared to a tension pneumothorax?

Citation, DOI & article data

Citation:

Gaillard, F., Bickle, I. Tension pneumothorax. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 05 Nov 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-15362

Tension pneumothoraces occur when intrapleural air accumulates progressively with hemodynamic compromise 10. It is a life-threatening occurrence requiring both rapid recognition and prompt treatment to avoid a cardiorespiratory arrest.

For a general discussion, refer to the pneumothorax article.

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A non-tension pneumothorax is properly called a simple pneumothorax.

Presentation is variable and may initially have no symptoms. With time severe dyspnea, tachycardia and hypotension occur. Distended neck veins and tracheal deviation are also often present. Eventually, impaired venous return results in cardiac arrest and death. This can occur within minutes.

Clinical signs of a tension pneumothorax in the ventilated patient are comparably rapid, with arterial and mixed venous peripheral capillary oxygen saturation immediately decreasing 5.

A tension pneumothorax occurs due to the progressive accumulation of intrapleural gas in thoracic cavity caused by a valve effect during inspiration/expiration. In this situation, the ipsilateral lung will, if normal, collapse completely (although a less than normally compliant lung may remain partially inflated). In either case, as the collection grows further, it exerts a positive mass effect on the mediastinum (compression of vessels and heart) and the opposite lung.

A tension pneumothorax will have the same features as a simple pneumothorax with a number of additional features, helpful in identifying tension. These additional signs indicate hyperexpansion of the hemithorax:

  • ipsilateral increased intercostal spaces
  • contralateral shift of the mediastinum
  • depression of the hemidiaphragm

In the rare instance of bilateral tension pneumothoraces, there may be no cardiomediastinal shift 6,7. 

Ultrasound

In addition to the sonographic features of pneumothorax, a RUSH exam (often performed in the setting of hemodynamic instability) the following features imply the presence of tension physiology 8:

  • fixed, dilated inferior vena cava 9
    • visualized from a subcostal window, the IVC diameter and respirophasic variation can be used as a rough correlate of central venous pressure
    • dilation (>2.1 cm) and absence of variation with respiration imply a pathologically elevated CVP, consistent with obstructive shock
  • hyperdynamic right heart with underfilling
    • right ventricular function will be normal or supranormal, with systolic obliteration of the ventricular cavity
      • in cardiac tamponade, another etiology in the differential for obstructive shock, right ventricular diastolic collapse will be observed 8
      • the right ventricular diameter will be reduced as a result of the reduction in filling/preload

Treatment and prognosis

Treatment of a tension pneumothorax is one of the classic medical emergencies where life can be saved or lost on the basis of recognition and subsequent rapid decompression. Numerous techniques exist, and the literature is replete with opinions, but in the first instance relieving the tension, even if not draining the pneumothorax, is life-saving. A needle thoracostomy (e.g. 14G intravenous cannula) can be inserted, typically in the 2nd intercostal space in the midclavicular line, to gain valuable time, before a larger underwater drain can be inserted 1.

  • giant bullous emphysema: differentiated from tension pneumothorax by clinical stability, interstitial vascular markings projected with the bullae and lack of hemithorax re-expansion following the insertion of an intercostal catheter
  • tension gastrothorax: differentiated by the poor definition of the left hemidiaphragm, lack of a gastric bubble, and potential gas-fluid level
  • tension pneumothorax (basic)

Overview

A pneumothorax (noo-moe-THOR-aks) is a collapsed lung. A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall. This air pushes on the outside of your lung and makes it collapse. A pneumothorax can be a complete lung collapse or a collapse of only a portion of the lung.

A pneumothorax can be caused by a blunt or penetrating chest injury, certain medical procedures, or damage from underlying lung disease. Or it may occur for no obvious reason. Symptoms usually include sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. On some occasions, a collapsed lung can be a life-threatening event.

Treatment for a pneumothorax usually involves inserting a needle or chest tube between the ribs to remove the excess air. However, a small pneumothorax may heal on its own.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of a pneumothorax are sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. Severity of symptoms may depend on how much of the lung is collapsed.

When to see a doctor

Symptoms of a pneumothorax can be caused by a variety of health problems, and some can be life-threatening, so seek medical attention. If your chest pain is severe or breathing becomes increasingly difficult, get immediate emergency care.

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Causes

A pneumothorax can be caused by:

  • Chest injury. Any blunt or penetrating injury to your chest can cause lung collapse. Some injuries may happen during physical assaults or car crashes, while others may inadvertently occur during medical procedures that involve the insertion of a needle into the chest.
  • Lung disease. Damaged lung tissue is more likely to collapse. Lung damage can be caused by many types of underlying diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, lung cancer or pneumonia. Cystic lung diseases, such as lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, cause round, thin-walled air sacs in the lung tissue that can rupture, resulting in pneumothorax.
  • Ruptured air blisters. Small air blisters (blebs) can develop on the top of the lungs. These air blisters sometimes burst — allowing air to leak into the space that surrounds the lungs.
  • Mechanical ventilation. A severe type of pneumothorax can occur in people who need mechanical assistance to breathe. The ventilator can create an imbalance of air pressure within the chest. The lung may collapse completely.

Risk factors

In general, men are far more likely to have a pneumothorax than women are. The type of pneumothorax caused by ruptured air blisters is most likely to occur in people between 20 and 40 years old, especially if the person is very tall and underweight.

Underlying lung disease or mechanical ventilation can be a cause or a risk factor for a pneumothorax. Other risk factors include:

  • Smoking. The risk increases with the length of time and the number of cigarettes smoked, even without emphysema.
  • Genetics. Certain types of pneumothorax appear to run in families.
  • Previous pneumothorax. Anyone who has had one pneumothorax is at increased risk of another.

Complications

Potential complications vary, depending on the size and severity of the pneumothorax as well as the cause and treatment. Sometimes air may continue to leak if the opening in the lung won't close or pneumothorax may recur.

Pneumothorax care at Mayo Clinic

May 21, 2021

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  4. AskMayoExpert. Pneumothorax. Mayo Clinic; 2020.
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  7. Ding M, et al. Endobronchial one-way valves for treatment of persistent air leaks: A systematic review. Respiratory Research. 2017; doi:10.1186/s12931-017-0666-y.
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  9. Jones KD. Pulmonary cystic disease and its mimics. Surgical Pathology Clinics. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.path.2019.11.007.
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How can you tell the difference between pneumothorax and tension pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax is when air collects in between the parietal and viscera pleurae resulting in lung collapse. It can happen secondary to trauma (traumatic pneumothorax). When mediastinal shifts accompany it, it is called a tension pneumothorax. This is a life-threatening emergency that needs urgent management.

What are signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax?

Tension pneumothorax occurs when air accumulates between the chest wall and the lung and increases pressure in the chest, reducing the amount of blood returned to the heart. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and a racing heart, followed by shock.

What are 3 signs and symptoms of a pneumothorax?

What are the Symptoms of Pneumothorax?.
Sharp, stabbing chest pain that worsens when trying to breath in..
Shortness of breath..
Bluish skin caused by a lack of oxygen..
Fatigue..
Rapid breathing and heartbeat..
A dry, hacking cough..

How can you tell the difference between pneumothorax?

They are:.
traumatic pneumothorax. This occurs when an injury to the chest (as from a car wreck or gun or knife wound) causes the lung to collapse..
tension pneumothorax. This type can be fatal. ... .
primary spontaneous pneumothorax. This happens when a small air bubble on the lung ruptures. ... .
secondary spontaneous pneumothorax..