Template:Pneumothorax diagnosis

Clinically Stable

Defined as having all of the following:

• Resp rate < 24
• Heart rate 60-120 beats per minute
• Normal BP
• SaO2 >90% on room air and patient can speak in whole sentences

Workup

• CXR
  • Displaced visceral pleural line without lung markings between pleural line and chest wall
  • Upright is best
    • Expiratory films DO NOT improve accuracy
    • Lateral decubitus films with suspected side up do increase sensitivity. Good approach in pediatrics to avoid CT
  • Supine CXR = deep sulcus sign
• CT Chest
  • Very sensitive and specific