spontaneous pneumothorax

Spontaneous Spontaneous PneumothoraxPneumothorax

Ahmer A. KarimuddinAhmer A. KarimuddinAugust 10August 10thth, 2001, 2001

DefinitionsDefinitions

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP)(PSP) No underlying lung diseaseNo underlying lung disease

Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (SSP)(SSP) Complication of underlying lung diseaseComplication of underlying lung disease

DefinitionsDefinitions

Iatrogenic PneumothoraxIatrogenic Pneumothorax Complication of diagnostic or therapeutic Complication of diagnostic or therapeutic

interventionintervention

Traumatic PneumothoraxTraumatic Pneumothorax Caused by penetrating and or blunt traumaCaused by penetrating and or blunt trauma

PSP - EpidemiologyPSP - Epidemiology

Fairly commonFairly common

10 cases per 100,000 in men10 cases per 100,000 in men

3 cases per 100,000 in women3 cases per 100,000 in women

Typically in tall, thin males between Typically in tall, thin males between ages of 10 and 30ages of 10 and 30

Risk increases with smoking in dose Risk increases with smoking in dose dependent mannerdependent manner

PSP - PathologyPSP - Pathology

Patients have no clinical lung diseasePatients have no clinical lung disease

On thoracoscopy, 75 to 100 percent On thoracoscopy, 75 to 100 percent have sub-pleural Bullaehave sub-pleural Bullae

Increased numbers in smokers (89%) Increased numbers in smokers (89%) vs. non smokers (81%)vs. non smokers (81%)

PSP - PathophysiologyPSP - Pathophysiology

Air leak due to increased alveolar Air leak due to increased alveolar pressure, secondary to inflammationpressure, secondary to inflammationAir leaks into lung interstitium then into Air leaks into lung interstitium then into hila, causing pneumomediastinumhila, causing pneumomediastinumMediastinal pressure rises, mediastinal Mediastinal pressure rises, mediastinal parietal pleura rupturesparietal pleura rupturesNo defect seen in visceral pleura or No defect seen in visceral pleura or evidence of bullous ruptureevidence of bullous rupture

PSP - PathophysiologyPSP - Pathophysiology

Due to air in pleural space, decrease in Due to air in pleural space, decrease in vital capacityvital capacity

Hypoxemia results – decreased Hypoxemia results – decreased ventilation perfusion ratioventilation perfusion ratio

Hypercapnia occurs only rarelyHypercapnia occurs only rarely

PSP – Clinical PresentationPSP – Clinical Presentation

History of chest pain while resting.History of chest pain while resting.

Physical findings are minimal.Physical findings are minimal. Tachycardia.Tachycardia. If large pneumothorax.If large pneumothorax.

Hyper resonance on percussion.Hyper resonance on percussion.

Decreased fremitus.Decreased fremitus.

Decreased or absent breath sounds.Decreased or absent breath sounds.

PSP – Clinical PresentationPSP – Clinical Presentation

Clinical clearance of symptomsClinical clearance of symptomsUsually within 24-48 hours, even if air in Usually within 24-48 hours, even if air in pleural cavity is not evacuatedpleural cavity is not evacuated

If HR > 135 or hypotension or If HR > 135 or hypotension or cyanosiscyanosis

TENSION PNEUMOTHORAXTENSION PNEUMOTHORAX

PSP – Diagnosis PSP – Diagnosis

HistoryHistory

Chest x-rayChest x-ray PA is only one of significancePA is only one of significance Expiration & inspiration views were found Expiration & inspiration views were found

to have no clinical significanceto have no clinical significance

PSP – RecurrencePSP – Recurrence

Average rate of recurrence is 30%Average rate of recurrence is 30%Most recurrences within six months to two Most recurrences within six months to two yearsyearsIncreased risk with:Increased risk with: Tall, thin habitusTall, thin habitus Pulmonary fibrosisPulmonary fibrosis History of smokingHistory of smoking Young ageYoung age

No increased risk with number of BullaeNo increased risk with number of Bullae

SSPSSP

Potentially life threatening, as limited Potentially life threatening, as limited reservereserveMost often associated with COPD and Most often associated with COPD and PCP pneumonia in HIVPCP pneumonia in HIVRisk in COPD increases with worsening Risk in COPD increases with worsening diseasedisease6% of HIV patients will suffer from PCP 6% of HIV patients will suffer from PCP associated pneumothorax associated pneumothorax (30-40% mortality)(30-40% mortality)

SSPSSP

Also seen in:Also seen in: Langerhan’s granulomatosisLangerhan’s granulomatosis LymphangioleiomyomatosisLymphangioleiomyomatosis Interstitial lung diseaseInterstitial lung disease Catamenial PneumothoraxCatamenial Pneumothorax

Seen in women, within 72 hours of Seen in women, within 72 hours of mensesmenses

SSP - EpidemiologySSP - Epidemiology

Same rates as PSPSame rates as PSP

Peak is later in lifePeak is later in life 60 to 65 years60 to 65 years

26 per 100,000 patients per year with 26 per 100,000 patients per year with COPDCOPD

Occasionally seen as first presenting Occasionally seen as first presenting symptom of pleural and lung CAsymptom of pleural and lung CA

SSP – MechanismSSP – Mechanism

Two hypothesisTwo hypothesis Same as PSPSame as PSP

Ruptured alvelous leaks air directly Ruptured alvelous leaks air directly into pleural space secondary to into pleural space secondary to necrosis – evidence seen in PCP necrosis – evidence seen in PCP associated pneumothoraxassociated pneumothorax

SSP – Clinical PresentationSSP – Clinical Presentation

Dyspnea, usually severeDyspnea, usually severe

Chest painChest pain

Hypoxemia and hypotensionHypoxemia and hypotension

HypercapniaHypercapnia

Must exclude in patient with Chest Must exclude in patient with Chest pain and COPDpain and COPD

SSP – DiagnosisSSP – Diagnosis

Clinical PresentationClinical Presentation

Radiological assessmentRadiological assessment Bullae may mask presence of air Bullae may mask presence of air

within the pleural cavitywithin the pleural cavity Only in patients with previous Only in patients with previous

pulmonary disease, consider CT scan pulmonary disease, consider CT scan to rule out presence of Pneumothoraxto rule out presence of Pneumothorax

SSP – RecurrenceSSP – Recurrence

Similar to PSPSimilar to PSP

Various studies show a range in Various studies show a range in between 39% to 47%between 39% to 47%

Increased rate of recurrence in Increased rate of recurrence in patients with complicated COPDpatients with complicated COPD

Smoking most potent risk factorSmoking most potent risk factor

Pneumothorax - TreatmentPneumothorax - Treatment

Principles:Principles:

Evacuate air from the pleural spaceEvacuate air from the pleural space

Prevent recurrencesPrevent recurrences


Air evacuation is to bring about re-Air evacuation is to bring about re-expansion of lungexpansion of lungIf air within pleural cavity is less than If air within pleural cavity is less than 15% of hemithorax (< 2 ribs) and 15% of hemithorax (< 2 ribs) and minimal symptoms:minimal symptoms: Consider supplemental oxygen and Consider supplemental oxygen and

observation over 6 to 8 hoursobservation over 6 to 8 hours Approximately 2% reabsorption per day on Approximately 2% reabsorption per day on

room airroom air


If air within pleural cavity is greater If air within pleural cavity is greater than 15% or growing:than 15% or growing: Simple intravenous catheter or Simple intravenous catheter or

thoracentesis catheterthoracentesis catheter Chest tubeChest tube

Simple aspiration successful in 70%Simple aspiration successful in 70% Increased success with age < 50 and Increased success with age < 50 and

< 2.5 L of air aspirated< 2.5 L of air aspirated


Surgical OptionsSurgical Options Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

(VATS) with wedge resection & pleurodesis(VATS) with wedge resection & pleurodesis Limited Axillary ThoracotomyLimited Axillary Thoracotomy ThoracotomyThoracotomy


VATS is felt to be superior to other optionsVATS is felt to be superior to other options Decreased time to dischargeDecreased time to discharge Small incisionsSmall incisions Decreased intra-operative stressDecreased intra-operative stress Earlier return to functionEarlier return to function Decreased post-operative painDecreased post-operative pain


If VATS is superior, then when do we use If VATS is superior, then when do we use it?it? After second episodeAfter second episode High-risk professionHigh-risk profession Persistent air-leak at 7 daysPersistent air-leak at 7 days

Yes & NoYes & No


Cole et al. (Ann. Thor. Surg., 1985)Cole et al. (Ann. Thor. Surg., 1985) Cohort studyCohort study 89 treated conventionally89 treated conventionally

50% were operated on50% were operated on 30 treated with VATS on presentation30 treated with VATS on presentation LOS was 6 days in VATS group, while LOS was 6 days in VATS group, while

average LOS in conventional group was 8 average LOS in conventional group was 8 daysdays

Recommended early intervention with VATS, Recommended early intervention with VATS, if persistent air leak at 3 daysif persistent air leak at 3 days


Passlick et al. (Ann. Thor. Surg., 1998)Passlick et al. (Ann. Thor. Surg., 1998) Cohort study (retrospective)Cohort study (retrospective) 99 patients treated with VATS, 100 patients 99 patients treated with VATS, 100 patients

treated with lateral thoracotomytreated with lateral thoracotomy VATSVATS

Shorter hospital stayShorter hospital stay

Shorter CT drainageShorter CT drainage

Decreased use of narcoticsDecreased use of narcotics


Falcoz et al. (Ann. Thor. Surg. 2003)Falcoz et al. (Ann. Thor. Surg. 2003) Using Decision Analysis methodology, Using Decision Analysis methodology,

attempted to arrive at best decision for attempted to arrive at best decision for second episode of pneumothoraxsecond episode of pneumothorax

Conventional Management entailed intercosta Conventional Management entailed intercosta drainage, followed by VATS/Thoracotomy for drainage, followed by VATS/Thoracotomy for persistent air-leakpersistent air-leak


For second episode,For second episode, VATS is cost-effectiveVATS is cost-effective Shorter stay by 5 daysShorter stay by 5 days Slightly less effective than CMSlightly less effective than CM


If it works so well for the second episode, If it works so well for the second episode, what about the first? what about the first?

Torresini et al. (EJ Card. Thor. Surg., Torresini et al. (EJ Card. Thor. Surg., 2003)2003) RCTRCT 35 patients treated with CT35 patients treated with CT 35 patients treated with VATS35 patients treated with VATS


35 patients treated with CT35 patients treated with CT 4 air-leaks4 air-leaks 8 recurrences8 recurrences $3,000 per patient$3,000 per patient

35 patients treated with VATS35 patients treated with VATS 2 air leaks2 air leaks 1 recurrence1 recurrence $2,000 per patient$2,000 per patient


VATSVATS Decreased costDecreased cost Decreased LOSDecreased LOS Decreased recurrenceDecreased recurrence ? Psychological effect? Psychological effect

Decreased concern of recurrenceDecreased concern of recurrence

Satisfaction with definitive managementSatisfaction with definitive management


What are the recommendations?What are the recommendations? British Thoracics Society, 2002British Thoracics Society, 2002


BTS GuidelinesBTS Guidelines Do not discuss second or third episodeDo not discuss second or third episode Only statementOnly statement

Refer to Thoracic Surgeon all cases of difficult Refer to Thoracic Surgeon all cases of difficult pneumothorax and persistent air leakspneumothorax and persistent air leaks


American Society of Chest PhysiciansAmerican Society of Chest Physicians Guidelines from 2001Guidelines from 2001


PSPPSP 11stst episode – simple episode – simple

drainage/aspirationdrainage/aspiration If no air-leak, reserve If no air-leak, reserve

definitive treatment till definitive treatment till second episodesecond episode

VATS is preferred VATS is preferred treatmenttreatment

SSPSSP 11stst episode episode

necessitates definitive necessitates definitive treatmenttreatment

VATS is preferred VATS is preferred treatmenttreatment

PneumothoraxPneumothorax

Sclerosing Agents?Sclerosing Agents? Talc (85-92% effective)Talc (85-92% effective) Tetracycline/MonocyclineTetracycline/Monocycline May be used in patients who will not tolerate May be used in patients who will not tolerate

an operationan operation High risk of ARDSHigh risk of ARDS

Areas of ResearchAreas of Research

Clinical trial in role of VATSClinical trial in role of VATS

Better sclerosing agentsBetter sclerosing agents

Better utilization of CT for Better utilization of CT for patient section for surgical patient section for surgical interventionintervention

Any Questions?Any Questions?

spontaneous pneumothorax

Documents

psp peak

psp pathophysiologyair

large pneumothorax

psp various studies

increased risk

pleural cavity

pleural space secondary

lung interstitium