What is Spontaneous Pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax is a condition in which lung(s) collapse when an air-pocket develops between the two layers of pleura.

The pressure within the lungs is usually greater than the pressure in the pleural space.

Accumulation of air/gas within the pleural space can cause the pressure in the surrounding pleural space to exceed the air-pressure within the lungs. When the pressure in the pleural space exceeds the pressure within the lungs, it can cause the lungs to partially or completely collapse.

What is Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP)?

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP) is collapge of lungs in a person having no prior history of known lung disease. Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax usualy occurs because of collapse of bulla (air-sacs) in the lung. Approximately eight to nine thousand cases of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax are documented every year in America. Most of thse cases involve tall and slim men of between 20 and 40 years of age. It has been often associated with activities involving sudden variations in environmental pressure. For example, activities such as deep-sea diving and high-altitude flying could subject lungs to abnormal pressure changes, thereby increasing the risks of developing Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

What is Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (SSP)?

When Spontaneous Pneumothorax occurs secodary to other known lung disorders, it is called Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax. Lung collapse because of Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax often occurs in patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It also occurs in patients suffering from various lung diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, Langerhans' cell granulomatosis, pneumocystis pneumonia, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and lung cancer.

What are the symptoms of Spontaneous Pneumothorax?

The main symptoms of Spontaneous Pneumothorax are as follows:

• Sudden onset of dull or stabbing chest pain,
• Worsening of pain while breathing or coughing,
• Sudden onset of chest tightness,
• Shortness of breath,
• Fast and shallow breathing,
• Dry hacking cough, and
• Pain in the shoulder, neck, or abdomen.

Diagnostic Tests for Spontaneous Pneumothorax:

Diagnosis of Spontaneous Pneumothorax usually involves the following:

• Chest x-rays,
• Blood oxygen level tests,
• Auscultation (decreased, hollow and drumlike breathing sounds)

Spontaneous Pneumothorax Treatment:

Eventhough less severe cases of Spontaneous Pneumothorax resolve on their own, severe cases do require medical intervention. The treatment for Spontaneous Pneumothorax primarily focuses on releasing the air/gas trapped within the pleural cavity. Usually, lungs re-expand soon after the pressure build-up in the pleural space is released/reduced to a level that is below the air-pressure within the lungs.

In the case of minor Spontaneous Pneumothorax, the treatment mostly involves a simple procedure called aspiration -removal of air-pocket from the pleural space using a catheter connected to a vacuum-source.

However, in the cases involving severe Spontaneous Pneumothorax, a chest tube may be inserted (through an incision in the chest wall, between the ribs) into the pleural space to help vent the trapped air/gas. In such relatively more severe cases of Spontaneous Pneumothorax, the chest-tube may be kept in place for several days while the patient is being cared-for in a hospital setting.

In case of a persistent air-leak into the pleural space, sealing the pleural space by administering a talc mixture, or by administering Doxycycline through a chest tube may be an option. If the patient continues to experience recurring episodes of Spontaneous Pneumothorax, however, surgery may be necessary.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax Prognosis:

Most patients recover fully from Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Spontaneous Pneumothorax Treatment News, and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Spontaneous Pneumothorax Articles.

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