Common Causes And Risk Factors Of A Pneumothorax

Also known as a collapsed lung, a pneumothorax is generally considered a medical emergency. It can include a partial or complete collapse of the lung. As air leaks into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, it places pressure on the lung, leading to collapse. Symptoms of a pneumothorax include sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath. To diagnose a pneumothorax, doctors will perform a chest x-ray. CT scans and ultrasounds may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis. A small pneumothorax may be treated with observation. For a larger pneumothorax, medical personnel will perform a needle aspiration. In this procedure, excess air is removed through the insertion of a catheter between the ribs. If necessary, doctors may also need to insert a chest drain. This drain provides continuous removal of air from the chest cavity. Both of these procedures are performed in a hospital setting.