Clinical imaging · UKMLA & AKT
Pneumothorax
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise pneumothorax — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis - do NOT wait for imaging. A one-way valve mechanism causes progressive air accumulation, mediastinal shift, impaired venous return, and cardiovascular collapse.
- Tracheal deviation - away from affected side (late sign)
- Absent breath sounds + hyperresonance - ipsilateral
- Cardiovascular collapse - hypotension, tachycardia, raised JVP
Suspected tension pneumothorax requires immediate needle thoracostomy - do not delay for chest X-ray, ABG, or IV fluids. Chest drain follows after initial decompression.
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