A pneumothorax (pneumo- + thorax; plural pneumothoraces) is an abnormal collection of air or gas in the pleural space that separates the lung from the chest wall. Like pleural effusion (liquid buildup in that space), pneumothorax may interfere with normal breathing. It is often called collapsed lung, although that term may also refer to atelectasis.

John, a healthy twenty-eight year old electrical engineer, was driving home from work one evening when he experienced sudden stabbing pain in his right pectoral and right lateral axillary regions. He began to feel out of breath and both his respiratory rate and heart rate increased dramatically. As luck would have it, John passed a hospital each day on his way home and was able to get himself to the hospital’s emergency room. The emergency room physician listened to John’s breathing with a stethoscope and requested blood gas analysis and a chest x-ray. John answered a few of the doctor’s questions. The doctor noted that John had no history of respiratory problems but was a heavy smoker.

After viewing the chest radiograph, the doctor informed John that he had experienced a spontaneous pneumothorax, or what is commonly called a collapsed lung. The doctor explained that a hole had opened in John’s right lung and that this hole had allowed air to leak into the cavity surrounding the lung. Then, as a result of the lung’s own elastic nature, the lung had collapsed. The doctor said he could not be certain of the cause of the pneumothorax, but smoking cigarettes had certainly increased the likelihood of it happening. He told John he was fortunate the pneumothorax was small, which meant that relatively little air had escaped from the lung into the surrounding cavity, and it should heal on its own. He instructed John to quit smoking, avoid high altitudes, flying in nonpressurized aircraft, and scuba diving. He also had John make an appointment for a re-check and another chest x-ray

Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs when a blister

on the surface of the lung opens, allowing air from

the lung to move into the pleural cavity. This occurs

because alveolar pressure is normally greater than

the pressure in the pleural cavity. As air escapes

from the lung, the lung tissues will recoil, and the

lung will begin to collapse. The lung will continue to

collapse until the difference between the alveolar

pressure and pleural pressure disappears or until the collapsing of the lung causes the opening to seal

The pneumothorax decreases the efficiency of the

respiratory system, which in turn results in decreased

blood oxygen concentration, increased respiratory

rate, and increased heart rate. If the pneumothorax is

small, the air that escapes into the pleural cavity can

be reabsorbed into the lung once the opening has

sealed shut. If the pneumothorax is large, a needle

or chest tube may have to be inserted into the pleural

cavity to draw the air out and allow for the reexpansion of the lung…

…mostly any damage ocur on chest wall,of course rib fracture exception…

…sudden pain and continous breathlessness,subsequently their chest ache on pain…

…different usage of left et right ones lung,accordinly diagphram muscle…

…change location trachea and heart apex

Palpation useless in this case because of no sign on the chest wall any big lymph node or other something but easily seenable rib fracture and other something

…normal condition on lung occuring sonarity voice but in pneumothorax this sound change to hyper sonarity-hyper resonance or even more bad condition could be tympanic voice just like on stomach fundus…

…moslt no inhaletion or exhaletion sound maybe a little

…hypoxemia

…hypocapnia(CO2)

… onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

… jugular venous pressure

AND COULDE BE THE WORST COMA

DİAGNOSİS

Chest X-ray

Ultrasound

…Aspiration

…Chest tube