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Pneumothorax - chest X-ray
Pneumothorax - chest X-ray
Respiratory system
Respiratory system
OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Traumatic pneumothorax

Definition:
A collection of air inside the chest, between the lung and inner chest wall, that causes the lung to collapse, and which results from an injury to the chest (see also pneumothorax).

Alternative Names:
Collapsed lung

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Traumatic pneumothorax occurs when a physical injury causes the lung to collapse. It can be the result of a blunt or penetrating chest injury (gunshot or knife wounds to the chest, automobile accidents), or can occur as a complication following certain medical procedures. High-risk medical procedures include transbronchial biopsy, pleural biopsy, thoracentesis, central venous catheter placement, intercostal needle anesthesia, and esophagoscopy.

Traumatic pneumothorax is often accompanied by hemothorax (a collection of blood between the lung and chest wall).



Review Date: 2/20/2002
Reviewed By: Todd Severson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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