in medical management of ICU patients over time (6). Pneumothorax can be misdiagnosed at initial presentation in about 32% of patients admitted to the ICU (7). It has a mortality rate of 68%, with the worst prognosis being in patients with septic shock and barotrauma (3).
Etiology and risk factorsAir can enter the pleural space by three routes: (I) communication between alveoli and pleura, (II) communication (direct or indirect) between atmosphere and pleural space, and (III) presence of gas producing organisms in the pleural space (1). Pneumothorax in the ICU occurs mostly as a result of barotrauma as well as various invasive procedures. A study by de Lassence et al. shows that about
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