Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) definition and facts

Picture of Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)

• A pneumothorax is a collection of free air in the chest cavity (thoracic cavity) that causes the lung to collapse.
• Pneumothorax may occur on its own in the absence of underlying disease; this is termed spontaneous pneumothorax.
• Pneumothorax may also occur because of an injury or underlying lung disease.
• A small spontaneous pneumothorax may resolve without treatment. A pneumothorax arising as a result of lung disease or injury requires immediate treatment.
• Treatment may include insertion of a chest tube or aspiration of the free air in the chest cavity.

What is a pneumothorax?

A pneumothorax is a collection of free air in the chest outside the lung that causes the lung to collapse.

What is tension pneumothorax?

In some instances, the lung continues to leak air into the chest cavity and results in compression of the chest structures, including vessels that return blood to the heart. This is referred to as a tension pneumothorax and can be fatal if not treated immediately.

What are the types of pneumothorax?

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• A spontaneous pneumothorax, also referred to as a primary pneumothorax, occurs in the absence of a traumatic injury to the chest or a known lung disease.
• A secondary (also termed complicated) pneumothorax occurs due to an underlying condition.

Chest X-Ray Interpretation

Do you ever wonder who interprets your X-rays? After a technician takes the X-rays your doctor has ordered, a doctor called a radiologist will review your X-rays. If more angles or views are needed the technician will take more X-rays. Once the radiologist has reviewed all of the films taken he or she will send a detailed report to your doctor.

Click for more about the chest X-ray procedure and test results »

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumothorax?

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Symptoms of a pneumothorax include

• chest pain that usually has a sudden onset.
• The pain is sharp and may lead to feelings of tightness in the chest.
• Shortness of breath,
• rapid heart rate,
• rapid breathing,
• cough,
• and fatigue are other symptoms of pneumothorax.

The skin may develop a bluish color (termed cyanosis) due to decreases in blood oxygen levels.

Pneumothorax (Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Prognosis)
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What causes pneumothorax?

The lungs normally inflate by increasing the size of the chest cavity, resulting in a negative (vacuum) pressure in the pleural space (the area within the chest cavity but outside the lungs). If air enters the pleural space either by a hole in the lung or the chest wall, the pressure in the pleural space equals the pressure outside the body. Thus, the vacuum is lost and the lung collapses.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of a cyst or a small sac (bleb) on the surface of the lung. Pneumothorax may also occur following an injury to the chest wall such as a fractured rib, any penetrating injury (gunshot or stabbing), surgical invasion of the chest, or may be deliberately induced in order to collapse the lung. A pneumothorax can also develop as a result of underlying lung diseases, including

• cystic fibrosis,
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
• lung cancer, asthma, and
• infections of the lungs.

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How is pneumothorax diagnosed?

Examination of the chest with a stethoscope reveals decreased or absent breath sounds over the affected lung. The diagnosis is confirmed by chest X-ray.

What is the treatment for pneumothorax?

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• A small pneumothorax without underlying lung disease may resolve on its own in one to two weeks.
• A larger pneumothorax and a pneumothorax associated with underlying lung disease often require aspiration of the free air and/or placement of a chest tube to evacuate the air. Possible complications of chest tube insertion include
  • pain,
  • infection of the space between the lung and chest wall (the pleural space),
  • hemorrhage (bleeding),
  • fluid accumulation in the lung, and
  • low blood pressure (hypotension).
• In some cases, the leak does not close on its own. This is called a bronchopleural fistula (punctured lung), and may require chest surgery to repair the hole in the lung.

Who is at risk for pneumothorax?

Spontaneous pneumothorax is more common in men. Smoking has been shown to increase the risk for spontaneous pneumothorax.

What is the prognosis for pneumothorax?

The outcome of pneumothorax depends upon the extent and type of pneumothorax.

• A small spontaneous pneumothorax will generally resolve on its own without treatment.
• A secondary pneumothorax (even when small) associated with underlying disease is much more serious and has a significant death rate. A secondary pneumothorax requires urgent and immediate treatment.
• Having one pneumothorax increases the risk of developing the condition again. Most recurrences occur within the first year.