Disorders of chest wall, pleura, and lung inflation

What are the disorders of the chest wall and pleura?

Chest wall and pleura disorders:

1. Chest wall restriction

2. Flail chest

What volume does chest wall restriction decrease?

Chest wall restriction decreases tidal volume

What is tidal volume?

Tidal volume is the amount of air you breathe in and out during a relaxed breath

What are some examples of chest wall restriction causes?

• Obesity

• Neuromuscular disease

• Trauma to the chest wall (flail chest)

What is Flail chest?

Flail chest is when the chest wall moves in with inspiration and out with expiration

What is the movement of flail chest called?

Paradoxic movement

What are the disorders of lung inflation?

Lung inflation disorders:

PP-E-ABC

• Pneumothorax

• Pleural effusion

• Empyema

• Atelectasis

• Bronchiectasis

• Cystic Fibrosis

What is Pneumothorax? What is it caused by?

Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, caused by a rupture in the visceral or parietal pleura

What are the two types of Pneumothorax?

1. Open Pneumothorax

2. Tension Pneumothorax

What is Open Pneumothorax?

Open Pneumothorax is when there is an open hole in the chest wall

What is Tension Pneumothorax?

Tension Pneumothorax is when there is an open hole in the chest wall that creates a flap.

• When you inhale, air goes in. But when you exhale, the flap closes the hole.

How is Pneumothorax treated?

Pneumothorax is treated through the insertion of a needle or chest tube to remove the excess air

What is Pleural effusion?

Pleural effusion is the presence of excess fluid in the pleural space

What is Empyema?

Empyema is when the pleural effusion gets infected with pus

What is Atelectasis?

Atelectasis is the collapse of lung tissue

What is the four ways that collapse of lung tissue occur?

1. External compression

2. Obstructed airways

3. Inhalation of concentrated oxygen

4. Decreased production of surfactant

What is an example of external compression?

A tumor

How do obstructed airways lead to the collapse of lung tissue?

When air is absorbed from obstructed alveoli, the lung collapses

How can anesthesia lead to decreased production of surfactant?

Anesthesia during surgery combined with shallow breathing leads to decreased production of surfactant

What is Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is the permanent dilation of the bronchi

What diseases can cause Bronchiectasis?

Tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis can cause bronchiectasis

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is the mutation of chloride channels, causing thick mucous in the airways

If mucous accumulates in cystic fibrosis, what can it lead to?

Mucous accumulation can increase the risk of infections