Pneumothorax
What are the common causes of pneumothorax in children?
- Spontaneous (idiopathic)
- Trauma
- Any lung disease
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pneumonia
- Lung abscess
When would you suspect pneumothorax in a child?
- Any one of the clinical setting as of above
- Sudden onset of severe shortness of breath
- Unilateral decreased chest expansion with decreased breath sounds, shift of mediastinum and cyanosis
- Enlargement of hemithorax on the side of pneumothorax.
What are the imaging findings of pneumothorax in a CXR?
- Air in pleural cavity (no lung markings)
- Margin of the atelectatic lung.
- Shift of mediastinum to opposite side
Case 1:
Child was in a car accident. Brought to the ER in severe respiratory distress.
CXR
Close up : Arrows pointing to displaced visceral pleura.
Right Hydropneumothorax.
- Air in pleural cavity with lung margin visible in upper chest.
- Hydro part opacifying lower portion.
One would expect a horizontal line in upright film.