I put together these medical challenges. The cases are hypothetical and do not necessarily represent actual or typical presentations of medical diseases. Disclaimer is at the bottom of this page.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Dextrocardia
This is the first part of a three part case for CXR week.
Challenge: In the wording of the USMLE Step 2 exam, what is your first step in management?
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In a tension pneumothorax, the intrapleural pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure in expiration creating a one-way valve. Here, the absence of lung markings on the left, the tracheal deviation, and the displaced cardiac silhouette all suggest tension pneumothorax. Note, tension pneumothorax should be a clinical diagnosis, not a radiologic one. Treatment is chest tube (tube thoracostomy).
Challenge: In the wording of the USMLE Step 2 exam, what is your first step in management?
Dextrocardia
ReplyDeleteIn a tension pneumothorax, the intrapleural pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure in expiration creating a one-way valve. Here, the absence of lung markings on the left, the tracheal deviation, and the displaced cardiac silhouette all suggest tension pneumothorax. Note, tension pneumothorax should be a clinical diagnosis, not a radiologic one. Treatment is chest tube (tube thoracostomy).
Sources: UpToDate; Wikipedia.