Dr. Shilpa Gandhi | Leading Consultant Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgeon In Nagpur
Pneumothorax
What is Pneumothorax
A pneumothorax, also known as a collapsed lung, occurs when air accumulates in the space between your chest wall and lung (pleural space). This air buildup can exert pressure on the lung, leading to partial or complete collapse. Pneumothorax is a critical medical condition often referred to as a punctured lung.
Recognizing the symptoms of a pneumothorax is crucial as it can be a medical emergency. If you suspect you have a collapsed lung, seek immediate care at the nearest emergency department.
What are the different types of collapsed lung?
Pneumothorax can be categorized into two main types: spontaneous and traumatic.
Spontaneous Pneumothorax:
- Primary spontaneous pneumothorax: Occurs without any underlying health condition, often due to the rupture of abnormal air pockets (blebs) in the lung.
- Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax: Linked to lung diseases that create bulging areas (bullae), which can burst and cause lung collapse.
Traumatic Pneumothorax:
- Injury-related pneumothorax: Results from chest injuries like fractures or penetrating wounds that puncture the lung.
- Iatrogenic pneumothorax: Occurs during medical procedures such as lung biopsies or central venous line insertions.
Other Types of Pneumothorax:
- Tension pneumothorax: Emergent condition where air enters the lung but cannot escape, leading to increasing pressure within the chest.
- Catamenial pneumothorax: Rare condition associated with endometriosis, where endometrial tissue outside the uterus can cause bleeding into the pleural space, leading to lung collapse.
What are the symptoms of a pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?
Symptoms of a pneumothorax include:
- Chest pain on one side, particularly when breathing.
- Coughing.
- Rapid breathing.
- Increased heart rate.
- Fatigue.
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Bluish skin, lips, or nails (cyanosis).
If you experience symptoms of a collapsed lung, seek immediate care at the nearest emergency room. Immediate medical attention may be necessary.
How is pneumothorax diagnosed?
Healthcare providers typically diagnose a collapsed lung by listening to lung sounds and using various imaging techniques such as chest X-rays, CT scans (computed tomography scans), or lung ultrasound. They may also conduct an arterial blood gas test to assess oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood.
During diagnosis, your provider will inquire about your lung disease history and conduct a physical examination. Certain types of pneumothorax, like tension pneumothorax, may be identified based on specific symptoms.
How is pneumothorax treated?
Treatment options for pneumothorax vary depending on its severity:
- Observation: For minor cases, monitoring for any signs of heart or breathing issues, with a follow-up visit scheduled.
- Oxygen therapy: Helps improve oxygen levels in the blood and aids lung re-expansion.
- Thoracentesis: Involves inserting a needle between the ribs to remove air from the chest, especially for minor pneumothorax.
- Chest tube drainage: For larger pneumothorax, a tube is placed in the chest to drain air and allow the lung to re-expand over a period of days.
- Chemical pleurodesis: To prevent recurrence, chemicals like doxycycline or talcum powder may be used to bind the lung to the chest wall, eliminating the pleural space.
- Surgery: Needed for cases where other treatments fail or for traumatic lung injuries, involving repair to enable lung healing. Surgery may be necessary for persistent air leakage, non-expanding lung despite chest tube use, recurrent collapses, bilateral pneumothorax, or traumatic injuries.