Pneumothorax ex vacuo information

Pneumothorax ex vacuo
Pneumothorax ex vacuo
Specialty	Pulmonology

Pneumothorax ex vacuo is a rare type of pneumothorax which forms adjacent to an atelectatic lobe.^[1] It is seen preferentially with atelectasis of the right upper lobe and is the result of rapid atelectasis producing an abrupt decrease in the intrapleural pressure with subsequent release of nitrogen from pleural capillaries.

Treatment consists of bronchoscopy rather than chest tube drainage. Radiographically, pneumothorax ex vacuo is suggested when an atelectatic lobe or lung, particularly right upper lobe atelectasis, is surrounded by a focal pneumothorax.^[2]

^ Ponrartana S, Laberge JM, Kerlan RK, Wilson MW, Gordon RL (2005). "Management of patients with "ex vacuo" pneumothorax after thoracentesis". Acad Radiol. 12 (8): 980–6. doi:10.1016/j.acra.2005.04.013. PMID 16087092.
^ Staes W, Funaki B (2009). ""Ex vacuo" pneumothorax". Semin Intervent Radiol. 26 (1): 82–5. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1208386. PMC 3036450. PMID 21326535.

[pmid16087092-1] Ponrartana S, Laberge JM, Kerlan RK, Wilson MW, Gordon RL (2005). "Management of patients with "ex vacuo" pneumothorax after thoracentesis". Acad Radiol. 12 (8): 980–6. doi:10.1016/j.acra.2005.04.013. PMID 16087092.

[pmid21326535-2] Staes W, Funaki B (2009). ""Ex vacuo" pneumothorax". Semin Intervent Radiol. 26 (1): 82–5. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1208386. PMC 3036450. PMID 21326535.