|
Pneumothorax Causes and Risks:
There are several types of
pneumothorax, which are classified by cause.
Spontaneous pneumothorax is thought to be caused by the rupture of a bleb or bullae (a small air-filled sac in the lung). The disease affects tall, thin men between 20 and 40 years old most frequently. Cigarette smoking and family history are contributing factors. Pneumothorax may also be a complication of underlying pulmonary (lung) disease ( COPD , asthma , cystic fibrosis , tuberculosis , whooping cough ).
Traumatic pneumothorax results from an injury, penetrating or otherwise, to the chest. It is sometimes caused by medical procedures as well as accidental injury.
Tension pneumothorax is caused when air enters the pleural space with each inspiration, and excessive pressure builds up. This results in pressure on the lung from air in the pleural space, causing collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax affects 9 out of 100,000 people a year.
Prevention:
There is no known prevention, other than to decrease risk by stopping smoking .
Symptoms:
Note: Symptoms may begin during rest or sleep.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and Tests:
Stethoscope examination of the chest reveals decreased breath sounds on the affected side.
Tests include:
Treatment:
The objective of treatment is to remove the air from the pleural space, allowing the lung to re-expand. Small pneumothoraces may resolve on their own.
The placement of a chest tube ( chest tube insertion ) between the ribs into the pleural space allows the evacuation of air from the pleural space. With the chest tube left in place, the lung may take several days to reexpand. Hospitalization is required for chest tube management.
Surgery may be indicated to prevent recurrent episodes.
To prevent the recurrence of pneumothorax, patients should discontinue smoking and avoid high altitudes, scuba diving, or flying in unpressurized aircraft.
Prognosis:
Up to 50% of patients with pneumothorax experience recurrence, but there are no long-term complications following successful therapy.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of pneumothorax develop; especially if you have previously experienced this condition.
This is an illustration of the major features of the lungs and bronchial tree. The inset is of the alveoli. They are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.
Aortic rupture (a tear in the aorta, which is the major artery coming from the heart) can be seen on a chest X-ray. In this case, it was caused by a traumatic perforation of the thoracic aorta. This is how the X-ray appears when the chest is full of blood (right-sided hemothorax) seen here as cloudiness on the left side of the picture.
Pneumothorax occurs when air leaks from inside of the lung to the space between the lung and the chest wall. The lung then collapses. The dark side of the chest (right side of the picture) is filled with air that is outside of the lung tissue.
|
