Primary (spontaneous) pneumothorax: acute disruption of visceral pleural in someone w/out known preexisting lung disease (often from rupture of previously unknown bleb)
Secondary pneumothorax: disruption of visceral pleura in someone w/underlying lung disease
Iatrogenic pneumothorax: complication of a procedure (central line, thoracentesis) - can occur with or without underlying lung dz
Traumatic pneumothorax: secondary to blunt or penetrating trauma
Risk Factors
Primary pneumothorax: Risk factors include tall, thin, male, smoker
Secondary pneumothorax: Risk factors include trauma, chronic infection extending to pleura→ hiv, severe copd, other chronic lung disease; thoracic endometriosis (catamenial ptx)→ ptx occurs around time of menstruation
Symptoms
Acute
SOB
Pleuritic cp
Physical Exam Findings
Absent or diminished breath sounds
Crepitus if air dissects into sub-cu tissues
If tension→ trachea deviated away, more likely hemodynamic compromise
If small and compensated, may not have exam findings