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Tension pneumothorax

Case contributed by Hein Els
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Shortness of breath. Had course of antibiotics recently without improvement.

Patient Data

Age: 31
Gender: Male
x-ray

Right tension pneumothorax with complete collapse of the right lung, over expansion of the right hemithorax, depression of the right hemidiaphragm and mediastinal shift to the left. 

Case Discussion

A tension pneumothorax is a critical result and mandates immediate physician-to-physician communication. Document the time and date of your communication in the radiology report. 

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