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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Pneumothorax CT

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Chest CT scan is more sensitive than chest x-ray and may be helpful in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. Findings on CT scan suggestive of pneumothorax include small pneumothoraces, pneumomediastinum, and blebs.

CT scan

CT scan

  • Chest CT scan is more sensitive than chest x-ray and may be helpful in the diagnosis of recurrent pneumothorax. Findings on CT scan suggestive of pneumothorax include:[1][2]
    • Small pneumothoraces
      • Multidetector CT scan is highly effective in measuring the volume of pneumothoraces[3]
    • Pneumomediastinum
    • Blebs; number and size
    • Predicts the rate of recurrence in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax
Pneumothorax Source:Case courtesy of Dr Julian L. Wichmann, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 25861
References

References

  1. ↑ Warner BW, Bailey WW, Shipley RT (1991). “Value of computed tomography of the lung in the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax”. Am J Surg. 162 (1): 39–42. PMID 2063968.
  2. ↑ Sharma, Anita; Jindal, Parul (2008). “Principles of diagnosis and management of traumatic pneumothorax”. Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock. 1 (1): 34. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.41789. ISSN 0974-2700.
  3. ↑ Cai W, de Moya M (2013). “Use of multidetector computed tomography to guide management of pneumothorax”. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 19 (4): 387–93. doi:10.1097/MCP.0b013e32836094be. PMID 23548888.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2]