Pneumothorax

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing collapsed and normal lung Collapsed and normal lung

A pneumothorax (a term for collapsed lung) occurs when air leaks into the space between your lungs and chest wall, creating pressure against the lung. Depending on the cause of the pneumothorax, your lung may only partially collapse, or it may collapse completely.

A pneumothorax can be caused by a chest injury, certain medical procedures involving your lung, lung disease, or it may occur for no obvious reason.

A small, uncomplicated pneumothorax may quickly heal on its own, but when the pneumothorax is larger, the excess air is usually removed by inserting a tube or needle between your ribs and slowly removing the air over a few days.

Symptoms
References
  1. Pneumothorax. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec05/ch060/ch060g.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  2. What are pleurisy and other disorders of the pleura? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pleurisy/pleurisy_all.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  3. Smith DA. Pulmonary emergencies. In: Stone CK, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3106264. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  4. Noppen M, et al. Music: A new cause of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Thorax. 2004;59:722.
  5. Light RW. Disorders of the pleura and mediastinum. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2861952. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  6. Light RW. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  7. Spontaneous pneumothorax fact sheet. American Lung Association.  http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35772. Accessed Feb. 17, 2009.
  8. Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 24, 2009.

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April 3, 2009

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