Pneumothorax & Tension Pneumothorax: Signs, Symptoms, Investigations & Management

In this video we explain the signs, symptoms, investigations and management of a Pneumothorax and Tension Pneumothorax. We use simple explanations and diagrams that are easy to understand, aimed at helping medical students and healthcare professionals of all levels. Timestamps: 00:20 - Signs & Symptoms 04:39 - Physical examination 07:17 - Investigations 09:40 - Management 13:06 - Summary A pneumothorax is where air is able to enter and exit the pleural cavity during inhalation and exhalation due to damage to the visceral or parietal pleura. A tension pneumothorax is where this air enters into the pleural cavity during inhalation but is not able to fully exit during exhalation, causing a progressive accumulation of air that exerts a positive pressure. Signs and symptoms associated with pneumothoraces include a sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, tachycardia, reduced oxygen saturations and hypotension. Thorough assessment and history take is essential to identify the possibility of a Pneumothorax and Tension Pneumothorax. Investigations may include chest x-ray, CT scan or ultrasound. A simple pneumothorax may resolve on its own, other interventions include needle decompression, aspiration, finger thoracostomy and a chest drain. Thank you for watching and I hope you found this video helpful, be sure to check out our videos and if there are any topics you would like us to cover then please leave a comment in the comment section below. We really appreciate your feedback as it helps us to design better quality videos. Click the link to show Animated Medicine your support and buy them a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnimatedMed Although this video is designed to provide education, it should not be used to guide clinical practice, treatment or medical decision making. These videos are designed to provide a detailed overview of each topic, and although a lot of research goes into each video errors can occur and medical practice, medical information and protocols may change over time, which is why it is important to follow local and national guidelines. These videos do not constitute medical advice, medical advice should be obtained from an appropriate healthcare provider or senior clinician.