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Pneumothorax-I

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...

Pleura of the Lungs

Pleura of the Lungs

The lungs are nestled in a cavity, shielded by the pleura. The pleura, a form of serous membrane, wraps around each lung. This membrane arrangement consists of two layers: the visceral and parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura lines the surface of the lungIn contrast, the parietal pleura is the outer layer and contacts to the thoracic wall, the mediastinum, and the diaphragm. The hilum is the point of connection between the visceral and parietal layers. The space between the parietal and...

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

Published on: March 12, 2020

Spontaneous pneumothorax: remaining controversies.

D Subotic¹, P Van Schil

¹Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, Clinical center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. vilusi@yubc.net

Minerva Chirurgica

|August 30, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Controversies persist in pneumothorax management, particularly regarding primary pneumothorax pathogenesis and recurrence prevention. Further research is needed to clarify oxygenation issues and optimize treatments like talc pleurodesis.

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Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome

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International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

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Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome

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Published on: January 23, 2026

Area of Science:

Pulmonology
Thoracic Surgery
Medical Research

Background:

Despite existing guidelines, significant controversies remain in pneumothorax pathogenesis and treatment.
A literature review from the late 1940s to 2010 highlights unresolved questions.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and discuss controversial aspects of primary and secondary pneumothorax.
To highlight areas requiring further research in pneumothorax pathogenesis and treatment.
To evaluate the efficacy and concerns regarding recurrence prevention methods.

Main Methods:

Literature survey of studies published between the late 1940s and 2010.
Analysis of pathogenesis mechanisms, including oxygenation impairment and tension pneumothorax.
Review of therapeutic approaches, focusing on recurrence prevention strategies like talc pleurodesis.

Main Results:

Further studies are needed to understand oxygenation impairment in large pneumothorax, age/sex-related differences, and tension pneumothorax events.
Video-assisted thoracic surgery offers minimally invasive treatment options.
Thoracoscopic talc poudrage shows significantly lower recurrence rates (5%) compared to simple pleural drainage (34%) for primary spontaneous pneumothorax, but is not widely adopted.

Conclusions:

Key aspects of pneumothorax pathogenesis require further investigation.
Minimally invasive treatments and recurrence prevention strategies, such as talc pleurodesis, need wider adoption despite some concerns.
Specific diagnostic and therapeutic challenges exist for secondary pneumothorax, including those related to tuberculosis and lung cancer.