The trauma can damage chest structures and cause air to leak into the pleural space. Quick treatment of pneumothorax due to chest trauma is critical as it can lead to fatal complications like cardiac arrest , respiratory failure , shock , and death. Tension pneumothorax is not a classification of pneumothorax but a term that reflects the severity of pneumothorax.
You may experience it if you have:. The risk factors are different for a traumatic and spontaneous pneumothorax. The options will depend on:. If you have tension pneumothorax or pneumothorax due to an injury, this is a life-threatening emergency. If pneumothorax results from a small injury, it may heal without treatment within a few days. Check with a doctor before flying or diving after pneumothorax.
Using oxygen can also help speed up the rate at which the lungs reabsorb air from the cavity. If the damage is significant or symptoms are severe, a surgeon may need to remove the air or carry out surgery. Needle aspiration and chest tube insertion are two procedures designed to remove excess air from the pleural space in the chest. These can be done at the bedside without requiring general anesthesia.
In needle aspiration, the doctor inserts a needle into the cavity and extracts the air using a syringe. For a chest tube insertion, the doctor will insert a hollowed tube between your ribs. This allows air to drain and the lung to reinflate. The tube may remain in place for 2 to 5 days or longer. During a thoracotomy, your surgeon will create an incision in the pleural space to help them see the problem.
During a thoracoscopy, also known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS , the doctor inserts a tiny camera through the chest wall to examine the lung. The doctor may also carry out pleurodesis, in which they stick the lung to the inside of the chest wall. In many cases, a person with pneumothorax will need emergency medical treatment, and emergency doctors will carry out the evaluation and diagnosis.
Your long-term outlook depends on the size of the pneumothorax, the cause, and any treatment you receive. Most cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax resolve with observation or minimal treatment. The risk of this type recurring within 5 years is around 43 percent , and the risk increases each time it happens.
Knowing your risk of developing pneumothorax and seeking help as soon as symptoms occur can help prevent severe complications.
Pneumothorax is a condition where air collects between the lungs and the chest cavity. In others, it can be life-threatening. Thoracic trauma. Editorial team. Collapsed lung pneumothorax.
The medical name of this condition is pneumothorax. Tall, thin people and smokers are more at risk for a collapsed lung. Lung diseases can also increase the chance of getting a collapsed lung. Common symptoms of a collapsed lung include: Sharp chest or shoulder pain, made worse by a deep breath or a cough Shortness of breath Nasal flaring from shortness of breath A larger pneumothorax causes more severe symptoms, including: Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen Chest tightness Lightheadedness and near fainting Easy fatigue Abnormal breathing patterns or increased effort of breathing Rapid heart rate Shock and collapse.
Exams and Tests. Tests that may be ordered include: Chest x-ray Arterial blood gases and other blood tests CT scan if other injuries or conditions are suspected Electrocardiogram ECG. Some people with a collapsed lung need extra oxygen. Outlook Prognosis. If you have a collapsed lung, you are more likely to have another one in the future if you: Are tall and thin Continue to smoke Have had two collapsed lung episodes in the past How well you do after having a collapsed lung depends on what caused it.
Possible Complications. Complications may include any of the following: Another collapsed lung in the future Shock , if there are serious injuries or infection, severe inflammation, or fluid in the lung develops. When to Contact a Medical Professional. Alternative Names. Air around the lung; Air outside the lung; Pneumothorax dropped lung; Spontaneous pneumothorax. Lungs Aortic rupture - chest x-ray Pneumothorax - chest x-ray Respiratory system Chest tube insertion - series Pneumothorax - series.
In general, men are far more likely to have a pneumothorax than women are. The type of pneumothorax caused by ruptured air blisters is most likely to occur in people between 20 and 40 years old, especially if the person is very tall and underweight.
Underlying lung disease or mechanical ventilation can be a cause or a risk factor for a pneumothorax. Other risk factors include:. Potential complications vary, depending on the size and severity of the pneumothorax as well as the cause and treatment. Sometimes air may continue to leak if the opening in the lung won't close or pneumothorax may recur. Pneumothorax care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
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Collapsed and normal lung In a collapsed lung, air from the lung leaks into the chest cavity. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Ferri FF. Pneumothorax, spontaneous. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Accessed Feb.
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