Clinical imaging · UKMLA & AKT
Pneumothorax
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
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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