Episode 213: Pneumothorax

Episode 213: Pneumothorax

From Core EM - Emergency Medicine Podcast by Core EM

September 1, 2025

About this episode

This episode breaks down pneumothorax, covering its risks, diagnosis, and management pearls.

We break down pneumothorax: risks, diagnosis, and management pearls. Hosts: Christopher Pham, MD Brian Gilberti, MD https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Pneumothorax.mp3 Download Leave a Comment Tags: Chest Trauma , Pulmonary , Trauma Show Notes Risk Factors for Pneumothorax Secondary pneumothorax Trauma: rib fractures, blunt chest trauma (as in the case). Iatrogenic: central line placement, thoracentesis, pleural procedures. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax Young, tall, thin males (10–30 years). Connective tissue disorders: Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos. Underlying lung disease: COPD with bullae, interstitial lung disease, CF, TB, malignancy. Technically, anyone is at risk. Symptoms & Differential Diagnosis Typical PTX presentation: Dyspnea, chest pain, pleuritic discomfort. Exam clues: unilateral decreased breath sounds, focal tenderness/crepitus. Red flags (suggest tension PTX): JVD Tracheal deviation Hypotension, shock physiology Severe tachycardia, hypoxia Differential diagnoses: Pulmonary: asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary edema (SCAPE), ILD, infections. Cardiac: ACS, CHF, pericarditis. PE and other acute causes of dyspnea. Diagnostics Bloodwork: limited…

People in this episode

Host: Brian Gilberti

Topics covered

  • pneumothorax
  • risks
  • diagnosis
  • management
  • emergency medicine

Keywords

  • pneumothorax
  • risks
  • diagnosis
  • management pearls
  • emergency medicine

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