Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a condition where the lung collapses due to accumulation of air or gas in the chest. The lung caves in due to inability to fill up with air during inhalation. This can happen to thin tall men without any prior symptoms. Spontaneous pneumothorax is more pronounced among men, especially smokers. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs without any history of lung disease. It is usually attributed to the rupture of a air-filled sac within the lung. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is noticed among persons who are suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, cystic fibrosis or lung cancer. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax usually occurs in persons less than 40 years. On the other hand, secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is noticed among older patients. Sudden shock or low blood pressure or distended neck veins can bring on a condition of tension pneumothorax. This type of pneumothorax can also result from a serious accident or violent crime.

Breathlessness is the most prominent symptom of pneumothorax. There is dull or stabbing pain in the chest that is accentuated by coughing. A patient suffering from spontaneous pneumothorax experiences shortness of breath and abnormal breathing patter. The patient feels agitated and enlarged neck veins will be observed. A physician will conduct a thorough physical examination and listen to your heart and breath sounds if he suspects a spontaneous pneumothorax condition. A chest x-ray can confirm the collapse of the lung. The level of oxygen in the blood is measured with a pulse oximeter or an arterial blood gas analysis.

Treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax involves removal of air from the pleural space so as to allow the lungs to expand again. It may take several days for the lungs to re-expand. A cather is used for aspiration of air from the pleural cavity. A chest tube is placed between the ribs to allow the air to be evacuated from that space. Doxycyline may be passed through the chest tube to seal the space.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic test that is used to view the airways, throat and larynx. This procedure can also facilitate removal of a growth or obstruction from the airway. Bronchoscopy is useful in diagnosing lung diseases and lung cancer. Any growth in the airways can be treated or removed. Other diagnostic tests such as CBC test, arterial blood gas test and PFT may be prescribed before embarking on bronchoscopy. The secretions in the mouth and airways are dried up with suitable medications. The vocal chords are also numbed. Fluroscope is also used to capture the images on a monitor. Avoid eating or drinking for a few hours prior to a bronchoscopy procedure. There might be blood in the sputum in case of biopsy.

Flexible bronchoscope allows a better view of the smaller airways and permits biopsy procedure too. This is called a transbronchial biopsy. Local anasthesia is often sprayed into the nose and mouth.

Rigid bronchoscope often necessitates the patient to be anesthesized and is resorted to when large samples need to be taken for biopsy and to remove pieces of food or dilating the airway. Use of laser is possible for removal for obstructions.

Abnormal results of bronchoscopy may be indicative of lung cancer, tumor, enlarged lymph nodes, ulceration or abnormality in the bronchial wall. Bronchoscopy is prescibed in cases where the patient coughs up blood or chest x-ray shows abnormal findings. If a person has inhaled a foreign body into the lung, bronchoscopy can help in removing it.

PFT

PFT (Pulmonary fucntion test) refers to one or different types of tests that are conducted on a patient to assess the condition of his lungs and their efficiency in transfering oxygen to the blood. PFT aids in measuring occupational hazards of exposure to contaminants such as asbestos or radon. It helps monitor of disease treatment.

Spirometry is a vital PFT that measures how well the lungs exhale. This diagnostic test is prescribed for patients suffering from asthma or COPD. This tests involves breathing into a mouthpiece that is connected to a spirometer. The amount of air and rate of exhalation are measured over a specific time.

Lung volume measurement test can aid detection of restrictive lung diseases. Such patients are often unable to inhale normal volumes of air due to inflammation or scarring of lung tissue. This PFT can be done as a body plethysmograph.

Gas diffusion test measures the amount of oxygen and other gases that are absorbed into your body from your lungs.

Inhalation challenge test aids in identifying possible allergens that can cause asthma or severe respiratory allergy. Other tests to measure lung function include residual volume, gas diffusion tests, body plethysmography, inhalation challenge tests, and exercise stress tests.

Patients scheduled for PFT must restrain from use of bronchodilators or inhaler medications for few hours prior to the test. Patients are advised not to eat a heavy meal or smoke for a few hours prior to the PFT. Typical normal values for pulmonary function tests are based on the age, height, ethnicity, and sex of the person being tested. Factors such history of smoking, wheezing and obesity can affect results of PFT. Pulmonary function tests are not advised for patients who have recently suffered heart attack.