Bilateral tension pneumothorax associated with mediastinoscopy

Tension Pneumothorax: Etiology, Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Management

The normally air-free pleural cavity exists at subatmospheric pressure to promote pleural apposition and proper lung excursion. Owing to its unique bilayer structure, air introduced into this space either from within the thoracic cavity or from an extrathoracic source causes pleural separation and simple pneumothorax (PTX). Most simple pneumothoracies of a small or static volume in healthy patients do not appreciably impair cardiopulmonary function despite variable collapse of the lung. If increasing pressure develops within this pleural air collection, however, a cascade of pathophysiological changes can result from altered anatomical positions of heart, lung, and great vessels. The development of increasing pressure within the pleural space, with resultant ipsilateral lung collapse and hemithoracic expansion into the mediastinum and the contralateral lung, is termed tension pneumothorax (TPTX). The exact incidence of TPTX is unknown, but it is reported in up to 2 to 3% of all pneumothoracies. Certain medical and surgical disease states—many found within the critical care environment—place patients at higher risk for development of TPTX and also limit physiological tolerance to TPTX once it occurs. Although physical examination and chest radiography generally confirm the occurrence of TPTX, physiological monitoring may herald the development of increasing intrapleural pressure. Expeditious recognition and pleural decompression are necessary to prevent the untoward hemodynamic and respiratory consequences of TPTX. Significant morbidity and mortality may arise from TPTX if treatment is unduly delayed, particularly in mechanically ventilated patients.

Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax: case report

A 22-year-old previously healthy male was admitted to the emergency department for chest pain and dyspnea of 1-day's duration. He had a history of heavy smoking. The patient was cyanotic, agitated, and severely dyspneic. Lung auscultation revealed severe diffuse bronchospasm and equally diminished breath sounds on both sides. Nasotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were performed shortly after admission due to acute respiratory failure. Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax was diagnosed from the chest x-ray, and chest tube drainage was immediately performed bilaterally. Computerized tomography of the chest 1 month later showed diffuse emphysematous bullae of the lungs. The case presented here should increase physicians' awareness of this rare form of spontaneous pneumothorax and its diverse manifestations.

Bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax: a rare entity

A young otherwise healthy man presented with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax that resulted in near respiratory failure and severe cardiac dysrhythmia. The magnitude of the patient's clinical manifestations resulted from his severely compromised pulmonary function with its attendant cardiovascular compromise. Prompt bilateral tube thoracostomy relieved his cardiopulmonary distress. This rare clinical entity should be considered in any individual with abrupt onset of severe cardiopulmonary distress.

Marfan's syndrome presenting as bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax

A case of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax in a 14-year-old girl with previously undiagnosed Marfan's syndrome is described. The pulmonary abnormalities of Marfan's syndrome are not commonly encountered and bilateral pneumothorax is itself a rare event which, in most instances, has been reported following invasive procedures.