Spontaneous pneumothoraxDefinition: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a collection of air or gas in the chest that causes the lung to collapse. Spontaneous means there is no�traumatic injury to the chest or lung. See also: Pneumothorax
Alternative Names: Lung collapse - spontaneous
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: There are two types of spontaneous pneumothorax: - Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
- Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in people without�lung disease. It usually occurs in tall, thin men between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the rupture of a small air- or fluid-filled sac in the lung (called a bulla) causes a primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax most often occurs�with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other lung diseases commonly associated with spontaneous pneumothorax include: - Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Lung cancer
- Interstitial lung disease
Symptoms: Symptoms often begin suddenly, and may occur during rest or sleep. They can include: - Sudden chest pain or chest tightness
- Chest pain may be dull, sharp, or stabbing
- Breathing or coughing makes pain worse
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid respiratory rate
- Abnormal breathing movement
- Splinting --� bending over or holding the chest to protect against pain
- Restricting chest wall motion when breathing (protection against pain)
- Cough
Signs and tests: The doctor will use a�stethoscope to listen to the lungs and breath sounds. The following tests may also be done:
Treatment: The objective of treatment is to remove the air from around the lungs, allowing the lung to re-expand. Small lung collapses may�get better�on their own. Aspiration (withdrawal) of air may re-expand the lung. The placement of a chest tube between the ribs into the pleural space allows the evacuation of air when simple aspiration is not successful or if�the pneumothorax is large. Re-expansion of the lung may take several days with the chest tube left in place. Hospitalization is required for chest tube management. Surgery may be�needed for repeated lung collapses. A procedured called pleurodesis can help prevent air and fluid buildup around the lungs and prevent collapses. Patients should�stop smoking and avoid high altitudes, scuba diving, or flying in unpressurized aircraft to prevent the recurrence of pneumothorax.
Expectations (prognosis): Between 30-50% of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax have another lung collapse. However,�there are no long-term complications following successful therapy.
Calling your health care provider: Call your health care provider if severe shortness of breath develops. Call your health care provider if you have had a spontaneous pneumothorax and you are experiencing the same or similar symptoms.
Prevention: Stopping smoking will decrease the risk of developing severe lung disease that may lead to pneumothorax. Controlling lung diseases such as asthma may lower the risk of pneumothorax.
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