A pneumothorax happens when air leaks between the lungs and chest wall, writes Marion Kerr
What is a pneumothorax?
Pneumothorax is the term used to describe the condition where a lung collapses.
This happens when air leaks into the area between the lungs and the chest wall (pleural space) and can be caused by a chest injury, certain medical treatments or lung disease. Symptoms of a pneumothorax vary depending on the extent of the problem.
With 25 per cent or more collapse of the lung, symptoms such as a sudden, sharp pain on the side of the affected lung, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and rapid heart rate may be noticed.
Although an entire lung can collapse, a partial collapse is more common.
My father had a fall and fractured a couple of ribs. While in hospital the doctors noticed the lung problem.
When your father fell and fractured his ribs, the broken portion most probably punctured the lung leading it to collapse. This is known as a traumatic pneumothorax.
Traumatic pneumothorax is caused by blunt or penetrating injury to the chest. However, there are other types of pneumothorax including a spontaneous type which can occur in otherwise healthy people with no history of chest trauma.
This type appears to have a genetic factor as it can run in families. A secondary spontaneous pneumothorax can develop in those with a pre existing lung disorder such as emphysema, TB, cystic fibrosis or lung cancer.
A tension pneumothorax is the most serious type of all and occurs when the pressure in the pleural space is greater than the atmospheric pressure. This can occur when air becomes trapped in the pleural space or when the person is on a positive pressure ventilator.
How do they treat a pneumothorax and are there any long-term complications associated with this condition?
A small uncomplicated collapse may heal spontaneously within a week or two, while a more complicated one will need the excessive air removed. This is done by inserting a needle or tube into the pleural space between the ribs and extracting the air.
The most common complication of a spontaneous or traumatic pneumothorax is a recurrence. Almost half of those who suffer a pneumothorax go on to develop a subsequent one, usually within one or two years of the first episode.
So if your dad develops a recurrence of symptoms - particularly chest pain or difficulty breathing - he should seek medical attention immediately.