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Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space around the lungs.

Air around the lung; Air outside the lung

Pneumothorax may result from chest trauma, excess pressure on the lungs, or a lung disease such as COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, or whooping cough. In some cases, the cause is unclear.

See also:

• Spontaneous pneumothorax
• Tension pneumothorax
• Traumatic pneumothorax

• Sudden sharp chest pain, made worse by a deep breath or a cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Easy fatigue
• Rapid heart rate
• Bluish color of the skin caused by lack of oxygen

Note: Symptoms may begin during rest or sleep.

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Nasal flaring
• Anxiety, stress, and tension
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

There are decreased or no breath sounds on the affected side when heard through a stethoscope.

Tests include:

• Chest x-ray to tell whether there is air outside the lung
• Arterial blood gases

Up to 50% of patients who have a pneumothorax will have another, but there are no long-term complications after successful treatment.

• Recurrent pneumothorax
• Tension pneumothorax with shock

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of pneumothorax, especially if you have had this condition before.

There is no known way to prevent pneumothorax, but you can decrease your risk by not smoking.

Baumann MH, Strange C, Heffner JE, Light R, Kirby TJ, Klein J, et al. Management of spontaneous pneumothorax. Chest. February 2001;199:590-602.

Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.