[Etiology of nontuberculous spontaneous pneumothorax]

Under observation were 158 patients treated for spontaneous pneumothorax (138 males and 20 females aged from 16 to 81 years). In 83% no causes of the lung rupture were revealed. Total collapse was observed in 38%, partial collapse--in 44.3%, collapsing of one lobe--in 9.5% and gas as a parietal band--in 8.2%. Eighteen patients were operated upon, 83% of patients showed symptoms not corresponding to pathophysiology of perforating pneumothorax. Taking into account the literature data and their personal observations the authors consider that not infrequently the primary mechanism of neuroreflectory pulmonary collapse underlie nontuberculous spontaneous pneumothorax in seemingly sound persons.