pneumothorax
Sign in to saveA pneumothorax is collection of air in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall. Symptoms typically include sudden onset of sharp, one-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. In a minority of cases, a one-way valve is formed by an area of damaged tissue, in which case the air pressure in the space between chest wall and lungs can be higher; this has been historically referred to as a tension pneumothorax, although its existence among spontaneous episodes is a matter of debate. This can cause a steadily worsening oxygen shortage and low blood pressure, leading to a potentially-fa
AI overview
A pneumothorax occurs when air collects between the lung and chest wall, typically causing sudden chest pain and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, a one-way valve can form that traps air and progressively worsens oxygen levels and blood pressure, which can become life-threatening.
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Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Pneumothorax
- Medical condition (new).image
- Blausen 0742 Pneumothorax.png
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Illustration depicting a collapsed lung or pneumothorax
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- Collapsed lung
- Medical condition (new).field
- Pulmonology, thoracic surgery, emergency medicine
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, tiredness
- Medical condition (new).onset
- Sudden
- Medical condition (new).causes
- Unknown, trauma
- Medical condition (new).risks
- COPD, tuberculosis, smog, smoking
- Medical condition (new).diagnosis
- Chest X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan
- Medical condition (new).differential
- Lung bullae, hemothorax
Article
26 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Tension pneumothorax
- Cause
- Primary spontaneous
- Secondary spontaneous
- Traumatic
- Newborn infants
- Artificial Pneumothorax
- Mechanism
- Diagnosis
- Chest X-ray
- Computed tomography
- Ultrasound
- Treatment
- Conservative
- Aspiration
- Chest tube
- Pleurodesis and surgery
- Aftercare
- Neonatal period
- Prevention
- Epidemiology
- History
- Etymology
- Other animals
- References
A pneumothorax is collection of air in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall. Symptoms typically include sudden onset of sharp, one-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. In a minority of cases, a one-way valve is formed by an area of damaged tissue, in which case the air pressure in the space between chest wall and lungs can be higher; this has been historically referred to as a tension pneumothorax, although its existence among spontaneous episodes is a matter of debate. This can cause a steadily worsening oxygen shortage and low blood pressure, leading to a potentially-fatal obstructive shock unless reversed. Very rarely, both lungs may be affected by a pneumothorax. It is often called a "collapsed lung", although that term may also refer to atelectasis.
A primary spontaneous pneumothorax is one that occurs without an apparent cause and in the absence of significant lung disease. Its occurrence is fundamentally a nuisance. A secondary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in the presence of existing lung disease. Smoking increases the risk of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, while the main underlying causes for secondary pneumothorax are COPD, asthma, and tuberculosis. A traumatic pneumothorax can develop from physical trauma to the chest (including a blast injury) or from a complication of a healthcare intervention.