Common Pneumothorax exam questions for medical finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES

 

Question 1.

When can patients fly in aircraft after a pneumothorax?

  • Only following complete resolution of a pneumothorax

 

Question 2.

What about diving post pneumothorax?

  • Diving should be permanently avoided unless the patient has undergone bilateral surgical pleurectomy and has normal lung function and CT chest scan postoperatively.

Question 3.

What is catamenial pneumothorax?

  • Pneumothorax in women at the time of menstruation, often due to endometriosis
  • 90% in right lung
  • Treatment involves surgical and hormone therapy