Pneumothorax is a condition where air collects in the pleural spaces, which are present between the lungs and the chest wall. It is basically a state where the lung collapses due to the leaked air pushing from the chest walls to the outside of the lungs.

In most instances, only one lung is affected. However, there have been rare occurrences of this lung disorder with both lungs failing at once.

Pneumothoraxes are classified as spontaneous and traumatic. Spontaneous pneumothoraxes are further divided into primary and secondary types. Each specific kind is associated with different causative factors.

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax:

The exact cause of this type is unknown, but people who smoke a lot or have a family history of pneumothorax, are more likely to acquire this lung disorder. Also, it affects more men than women.

Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax:

People with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and other lung ailments such as pneumonia and tuberculosis are more predisposed to contracting this kind of pneumothorax. It also occurs in children.

Traumatic Pneumothorax:

As the name suggests, this type is caused due to a sudden trauma or serious injury to the chest wall. The problem is most aggravated when the region affected is the ribs, resulting in fractures.

Depending on the severity of the lung illness, the pneumothorax will either resolve on its own or will require proper treatment. Hence, it is advised to seek prompt medical care, to ensure that your lung performs normally.

Symptoms

The characteristic signs and symptoms of a person suffering from pneumothorax are:

• Chest pain
• Breathlessness
• Loss of function in the affected lung
• Hypoxemia i.e. decreased levels of oxygen in blood
• Damaged structure of lungs
• Rib fractures
• Loss of consciousness

Risk Factors

The risk factors vary for a traumatic and spontaneous pneumothorax.

For a traumatic pneumothorax risk factors include:

• Contact activities or games like football or hockey
• A job where there’s a risk of falls or injuries
• A medical treatment comprising the chest or lung region
• Current assisted respiratory care

The highest risk of a non-traumatic pneumothorax include:

• Chronic smokers
• History of existing lung conditions like asthma or COPD
• A family history of pneumothorax
• People who are tall and thin
• Inflammation in the small airways

Pneumothorax Complications

This lung condition can lead to several complications, some of which can be fatal, they include:

• Respiratory failure
• Pulmonary edema post-treatment for pneumothorax
• Pneumohemothorax, when blood invades the chest cavity
• Pneumopericardium, when air enters the cavity surrounding the heart
• Pneumoperitoneum, when air enters the space around the stomach
• Bronchopulmonary fistula
• Heart attack
• Tension pneumothorax can rapidly advance to:
• Breathing difficulty
• Cardiovascular collapse
• Death

Hence, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention as soon as symptoms develop.

Diagnosis And Treatment

A family history as well as a chest X-ray is primarily obtained by the doctor, when a patient presents with the typical indications of lung failure. To further assess the internal organs and to acquire in-depth images of lung structure, a CT (Computerized Tomography) scan may also be performed.

In cases where the patient has sustained injuries and trauma, ultrasound images are obtained, to identify the exact location of where air is leaking within the lungs.

Once the diagnosis of pneumothorax is confirmed, the healthcare provider will decide the course of treatment depending on the location of wounds and the severity of lung collapse.

Treatment Options:

Observation:

In minor conditions, the doctor will regularly monitor both your lungs, until all excess air has been drained out and the lung capacity has been restored to normal.

Needle Aspiration:

A needle attached to a syringe via a catheter, is inserted at the affected site in the lung, to pull out surplus air trapped in the region and allow the lungs to re-expand to their normal size.

Chest Tube Insertion:

A flexible tube is inserted into the chest and all the excessive air is extracted out, until the lungs have completely healed.

Nonsurgical Repair:

These include administering an irritant to the lungs, or inserting a bronchoscope, to ensure the leaks in the lung tissue seal themselves, and the trapped air is automatically eliminated.

Surgery:

Sometimes, there is a chance that pneumothoracic conditions might recur. In these cases, surgery is performed by the physician to fully close the air leaks in the lung.