CASE REPORT
RESPIROLOGY DIVISION
INTRODUCTION
Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity (ie,
the potential space between the visceral and parietal pleura of the lung), which can
impair oxygenation and/or ventilation. The clinical results are dependent on the
degree of collapse of the lung on the affected side. If the pneumothorax is significant,
it can cause a shift of the mediastinum and compromise hemodynamic stability. Air
can enter the intrapleural space through a communication from the chest wall (ie,
trauma) or through the lung parenchyma across the visceral pleura.1
A primary pneumothorax is one that occurs without an apparent cause and in
the absence of significant lung disease, while a secondary pneumothorax occurs in
the presence of existing lung pathology. In a minority of cases, the amount of air in
the chest increases markedly when a one-way valve is formed by an area of
damaged tissue, leading to a tension pneumothorax. This condition is a medical
emergency that can cause steadily worsening oxygen shortage and low blood
pressure. Unless reversed by effective treatment, these sequelae can progress and
cause death.2
The incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax is 18 per 100,000 men per year
and 6 per 100,000 women per year. It occurs most often in the 20s, and primary
spontaneous pneumothorax rarely occurs over the age of 40. Secondary
spontaneous pneumothorax occurs at any ages. Between 1991 and 1995 the rate of
admissions to United Kingdom hospitals for both primary and secondary
spontaneous pneumothorax was 16.7 per 100,000 men per year and 5.8 per
100,000 women per year. 3
The main purpose of treatment pneumothorax is to remove the air from the
pleural space and prevent relapses. Simple observation, needle aspiration and chest
drain are all possibilities and the choice will depend upon the severity of the
condition. There is much national and international controversy surrounding the
'right' initial treatment of pneumothoraces. Generally, the more symptomatic the
patient, the more active intervention should be utilised. Large pneumothoraces
should be drained, even if there are minimal or no symptoms, as this speeds the
resolution. Needle aspiration is still favoured as the initial treatment of
pneumothoraces, but in case of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax and
traumatic pneumothorax usually require active treatment. Iatrogenic pneumothorax
does not normally require a chest drain and tension pneumothorax requires
immediate attention.5
CASE REPORT
A-14 years and 8 month old girl, admitted to pediatric department of
dr.Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital on November 13, 2012.
History taking
Her main complaint was sudden onset of shortness breath, experienced since
six hours prior to the admission. She felt chest pain and paroxysmal cough for one
week. There was history of frequent cough for three month, slimy but no dyspnea
appearance. No fever and seizure complaint on admission, but there was history of
frequent fever for three months prior to admission. She felt nausea and vomiting two
times. Her appetite was decreased. Defecation and micturition were normal. Body
weight decreased for the last three months. She was complaint a bed time sweating
for the last one month. There was no contact history with adult tuberculosis patients.
History of the chest trauma was denied. There was no contact history with suddenly
died poultry.
Physical examination
Laboratory examination
Working Diagnosis:
Left Pneumothorax
Lung tuberculosis suspected
Under nourish
Managements
Supporting therapy:
O2 2 L/min via nasal canule
Intra Venous Fluid Displacement Dextrose 5% 30 gtt/min
Medicamentosa:
Ceftriaxon injection 2 x 1 g/iv
Ketorolac injection 2 x 10 mg/iv
Ranitidine injection 2 x 25 mg/iv
Diet therapy:
Usual diet
o Calorie 2000 gr
o Protein 75 gr
Planning
Consult to surgical department for water sealed drainage (WSD) procedure.
Tuberculin test
FURTHER OBSERVATIONS
2nd day of treatment (14 November 2012)
General condition: weak
BP 90/60 mmHg, RR 50x/mnt, PR 140x/mnt, BT 37.0 0C
Fever and headache was absent. Cough, mucus and shortness of breath was
positives.. On physical examination nostril breathing and suprasternal retractions still
appear. Asymmetrical movement of the chest wall when breathing was noted. On
chest auscultation found decreased breath sounds on the left lung, crackles are still
audible in right lung. No other new complaints from the patient. O2 2 L/min via nasal
canule, IVFD D5% 30 gtt/mnt, ceftriaxon injection 2 x 1 g/iv, ketorolac injection 2 x 10
mg/iv, ranitidine 2 x 25 mg/iv. Usual dietary intake.
Planning: WSD procedure and Tuberculin test.
Figure 3. Positive result of tuberculin test Figure 4. Positive result of tuberculin test
Definitive diagnosis
Left spontaneous secondary pneumothorax
Lung tuberculosis
Under nourish
Prognosis
Qua ad vitam : ad bonam
Qua ad sanationem : ad bonam
DISCUSSION
The lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the
chest (thorax). The trachea (windpipe) conducts inhaled air into the lungs through its
tubular branches, called bronchi. The bronchi then divide into smaller and smaller
branches (bronchioles), finally becoming microscopic. The bronchioles eventually
end in clusters of microscopic air sacs called alveoli. In the alveoli, oxygen from the
air is absorbed into the blood. Carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism,
travels from the blood to the alveoli, where it can be exhaled. Between the alveoli is
a thin layer of cells called the interstitium, which contains blood vessels and cells that
help support the alveoli.7
The lungs are covered by a thin tissue layer called the pleura. The same kind
of thin tissue lines the inside of the chest cavity -- also called pleura. A thin layer of
fluid acts as a lubricant allowing the lungs to slip smoothly as they expand and
contract with each breath.7
Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity (ie,
the potential space between the visceral and parietal pleura of the lung), which can
impair oxygenation and/or ventilation. The clinical results are dependent on the
degree of collapse of the lung on the affected side. If the pneumothorax is significant,
it can cause a shift of the mediastinum and compromise hemodynamic stability. Air
can enter the intrapleural space through a communication from the chest wall (ie,
trauma) or through the lung parenchyma across the visceral pleura.1
A + B + C (cm)
2. The ratio between the difference hemitoraks broad and extensive lung collapse
hemitoraks divided by the area multiplied by 100%.10
(AxB) (axb) cm
AxB
Figure 11: % estimate size of Lung collaps (cited from literature 10)
3. If lateral edge of lung is > 2cms from thoracic cage at the level of the hilum, then
this implies pneumothorax is at least 50%. Calculate the ratio of the transverse
radius of the pneumothorax (cubed) to the transverse radius of the hemithorax
(cubed). To express the pneumothorax size as a percentage, multiply the
fractional size by 100. Small pneumothorax is equivalent to <30%.11
Figure 13: Pneumothorax chest x-ray; Heart and trachea pushed to the healthy side. (cited from literature 11)
The first chest x-ray examination result in patient was left pneumothorax. The
x-ray image shown a wide hiperluscen area on the left hemithorax. This area was
avaskuler because the lung tissue was collapse. Heart and trachea pushed to the
healthy side, spatium widened intercostal, diaphragm down flat and depressed. The
percent area of pneumothorax as calculated in earlier discussion, concluded that the
patient has a large pneumothorax. Important clinical point of this relationship is that
when there is the presence of a large pneumothorax adequate treatment should be
given immediately.
Figure 14: Flowchart of management of spontaneous pneumothorax. (cited from literature 10)
Prognosis of the patient are bonam (qua ad vitam and qua ad sanationem)
because adequate management are initiated and clinical symptoms were improved
within a week. Prognosis varies according to the cause of pneumothorax. Secondary
spontaneous pneumothorax had a recurrence rate of 39-47%.
SUMMARY
A case of pneumothorax in a 14 year 8 month old girl, was reported.
Diagnosis was based on history, physical and supporting examinations (chest x-ray,
thorax CT scan and arterial blood gas analysis). The management of this patient is
to remove the trap air with water sealed drainage procedure. Intravenous antibiotic
was given as a prophylaxis therapy for this invasive procedure. As mention that the
patient has a tuberculosis infection, then multidrug therapy for the underlying disease
was prescribed. Intervention and observation evaluated base on improvement of the
clinical symptoms. The prognosis of the patient was good.
Figure 14: Patient with pneumothorax; before water sealed drainage procedure.
Figure 15: Patient with pneumothorax; after water sealed drainage procedure.
Figure 16: Water sealed drainage procedure. (cited from literature 10)
Figure 17: Patient with pneumothorax; first control at OPD (one week after discharge).
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