Bedside Transillumination Test – A Clinical Tool for Diagnosis of Pneumothorax in Newborn: A Need of Time for the Medical Graduate

Abstract

Abstract The basic signs and symptoms in clinical practice are losing its glory nowadays due to final jumping at diagnosis and due to the easy availability of sophisticated investigations and handy literature. The level of teaching has also gone down in medical colleges, and these clinical signs are not taught and not illustrated, as everyone feels that these are outdated. Although this case looks very simple, it carries lots of importance. A preterm baby who was suffering from respiratory distress and was doing well suddenly desaturated and deteriorated while on ventilator. We worked out the possible causes of displacement, obstruction, pneumothorax, equipment failure, and suspected pneumothorax. Immediately, bedside transillumination test (which is nowadays thought to be outdated) was performed, and a chest drain was put in urgently without waiting for the X-ray and lung ultrasound. Chest drainage was put in immediately, and the baby started improving immediately. and later on, an X-ray was taken, which was suggestive of improving pneumothorax. The present article highlights the importance of elicitation of proper signs and symptoms, the importance of performing illumination tests in newborns, along with the significance of clinical teaching.