Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2025;82(Supl 5):70-74. doi: 10.24875/BMHIM.25000088.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax (PTX) occurs more frequently in the neonatal period than in any other period of life. Lung ultrasound (LU) is considered the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment.
CLINICAL CASE: We describe the case of a term male newborn who developed a tension pneumothorax (tPTX). A quick echocardiographic assessment for post-processing measurements was performed, demonstrating right ventricular failure and elevation of pulmonary vascular resistances as seen in tension physiology, which resolved quickly after drainage.
CONCLUSIONS: The right ventricle easily handles varying amounts of preload, but it rapidly decompensates with an acute rise in afterload. LU cannot differentiate PTX from tPTX; however, echocardiographic assessment can.
PMID:41401435 | DOI:10.24875/BMHIM.25000088