Essay On Pneumothorax

Post-Biopsy Care and Complications: After the procedure is done, the skin nick is cleaned and dressed, and a repeat scan is obtained to rule out the presence of a pneumothorax. Most institutions obtain two post-biopsy chest radiographs, one immediate baseline and a repeat 2-3-hour study, to ensure no enlarging pneumothorax. The patients are observed until the follow up radiograph is obtained while fasting in case a chest tube insertion is needed (Fig. 5). The patient is discharged if the follow up radiograph shows no evidence of developing pneumothorax (Fig. 6)(26), substantial hemorrhage and patient clinically not requiring additional supplemental oxygen to maintain proper ventilation. Discharge instructions are given to the patient with advice to contact the Radiologist performing the procedure and seek medical care at their closest Emergency Room in case of sudden or increased shortness of breath, fullness/ heaviness in chest

or excessive hemoptysis.
Pneumothorax: The most common complication of CT-guided lung biopsy is an iatrogenic pneumothorax, which has been reported to occur in as high as 54% of all lung biopsies with an average of 20% (27). Acute pneumothoraces may develop at the time of the procedure or often within 2 hours of the procedure, but delayed pneumothoraces have also been reported, post normal radiographs up …show more content…
Hospitalization is often only necessary in cases of persistent bronchopleural fistulas. Most Interventionalists prefer an anteriorly placed 8-10F chest tube with the pigtail strategically placed along the anterior apex of the pleural space under fluoroscopy- or CT-guidance to best decompress the pneumothorax and help resolve the persistent bronchopleural fistula (Fig. 5). Injection of an autologous blood patch may decrease likelihood of chest tube insertion