Tension pneumothorax managed without immediate needle decompression

Occult tension pneumothorax discovered following imaging for adult trauma patients in the modern major trauma system: a multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Tension pneumothorax following trauma is a life-threatening emergency and radiological investigation is normally discouraged prior to treatment in traditional trauma doctrines such as ATLS. Some trauma patients may be physiologically stable enough for diagnostic imaging and occult tension pneumothorax is discovered radiologically. We assessed the outcomes of these patients and compared them with those with clinical diagnosis of tension pneumothorax prior to imaging.

METHODS

A multicentre civilian-military collaborative network of six major trauma centres in the UK collected observational data from adult patients who had a diagnosis of traumatic tension pneumothorax during a 33-month period. Patients were divided into 'radiological' (diagnosis following CT/CXR) or 'clinical' (no prior CT/CXR) groups. The effect of radiological diagnosis on survival was analysed using multivariable logistic regression that included the covariates of age, gender, comorbidities and Injury Severity Score.

RESULTS

There were 133 patients, with a median age of 41 (IQR 24-61); 108 (81%) were male. Survivors included 49 of 59 (83%) in the radiological group and 59 of 74 (80%) in the clinical group (p=0.487). Multivariable logistic regression showed no significant association between radiological diagnosis and survival (OR 2.40, 95% CI 0.80 to 7.95; p=0.130). There was no significant difference in mortality between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Radiological imaging may be appropriate for selected trauma patients at risk of tension pneumothorax if they are considered haemodynamically stable. Trauma patients may be physiologically stable enough for radiological imaging but have occult tension pneumothorax because they did not have the typical clinical presentation. The historical dogma of the 'forbidden scan' no longer applies to such patients.

Prehospital decompression of tension pneumothorax: Have we moved the needle?

BACKGROUND

Needle thoracostomy (NT) is the first-line intervention for tension pneumothorax in the prehospital setting. This study examined the effect of ATLS curriculum and EMS protocol changes on patient selection and successful performance of the procedure.

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review of all patients presenting to a Level One Trauma Center from 2015 to 2020 after undergoing prehospital NT.

RESULTS

Lateral NT placement increased significantly from 5.1% to 38.9%. Proper patient selection, defined as presence decompensated shock, respiratory distress, and diminished breath sounds increased from 23.1% to 27.8%. There was no difference in radiographic confirmation of the catheter in the pleural space. Iatrogenic injury rates decreased slightly from 28.2% to 16.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Protocol and curriculum changes have fallen short in yielding improved NT success rates or patient selection. Continued development of EMS education on the performance of NT is indicated.

Spontaneous Bilateral Pneumothorax, Pneumomediastinum, and Subcutaneous Emphysema following Intracranial Aneurysm Clipping under General Anesthesia

A 64-year-old male smoker who was previously healthy underwent intracranial aneurysm clipping after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Thoracic computerized tomography which was taken a day before the surgery revealed small bullae and low attenuation area in bilateral lower lobes. Soon after the completion of the surgery, the patient began to breathe, and then developed cough, 5 min later oxygen saturation decreased, and diminished breath sounds were detected in the left lung. Tube thoracostomy was performed and eventually resolved the complication. Bilateral pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema were confirmed by computerized tomography later. Early recognition and intervention of perioperative pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum can improve the patient's outcome.