Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)

What is a collapsed lung?

A collapsed lung (pneumothorax) is a buildup of air in the space between the lung and the chest wall. As the amount of air in this space increases, the pressure against the lung causes the lung to collapse. This keeps your lung from expanding fully when you try to breathe in. You may have shortness of breath and chest pain.

A collapsed lung may be a life-threatening emergency if the pressure in your chest keeps the lungs from getting enough oxygen into the blood.

What causes it?

A collapsed lung is often caused by an injury to the chest. These can be things like a broken rib or puncture wound.

A collapsed lung can happen when there is damage to the lungs. This can be caused by conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia.

A lung may collapse after surgery or another medical procedure. Sometimes it happens for no known reason (spontaneous pneumothorax).

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms depend on the size of the collapse. If symptoms are mild, you may not realize you have a collapsed lung. In more severe cases, symptoms will develop quickly and may lead to shock.

Symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath. This may be mild to severe, depending on how much of the lung is collapsed.
• Sudden, severe, and sharp chest pain on the same side as the collapsed lung.

Symptoms may become worse with altitude changes (such as flying in an airplane, going up a mountain, or going underground or underwater).

How is it diagnosed?

A collapsed lung usually is diagnosed through a physical exam and a chest X-ray. Your doctor may also do blood tests to measure the level of oxygen in your blood. You may need a CT scan or ultrasound to diagnose the severity of your condition. These tests will help the doctor plan your treatment.

How is a collapsed lung treated?

Treatment can depend on the cause and severity of the collapsed lung. Some people stay in the hospital for treatment. The lung may heal with rest, but you will need to be checked by your doctor. It can take several days for the lung to expand again. In some cases, oxygen may be given (through a mask). More serious cases are treated by placing a needle or a chest tube into the chest cavity. Both of these treatments relieve the pressure on the lung and allow it to expand again. Sometimes surgery is done to help keep the lung inflated. Treatment can also depend on whether the collapse has returned.

Will it return?

If you have had a collapsed lung, you have an increased risk for another. People who smoke cigarettes are more likely to have a lung collapse than those who don't. If you smoke, quitting smoking can reduce your risk of another collapsed lung.