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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.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

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Pleura of the Lungs

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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...

Gross Anatomy of the Lungs

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Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

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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...

Lung Capacity

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Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome

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Published on: January 23, 2026

Unexpandable lung.

Marco F Pereyra¹, Lucía Ferreiro, Luis Valdés

¹Servicio de Neumología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña, España.

Archivos De Bronconeumologia

|July 4, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Unexpandable lung occurs when the lung cannot expand due to fibrous pleural layers. Early treatment of lung entrapment can prevent irreversible trapped lung, though some cases may require pleural decortication.

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Published on: February 14, 2022

Area of Science:

Pulmonology
Thoracic Surgery
Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

Unexpandable lung is a mechanical complication hindering pleural apposition.
It stems from visceral pleural restriction caused by fibrous layer formation.
This can be an active process (lung entrapment) or a remote, irreversible one (trapped lung).

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the pathophysiology of unexpandable lung.
To outline diagnostic approaches for lung entrapment and trapped lung.
To discuss therapeutic strategies for these conditions.

Main Methods:

Analysis of pleural fluid.
Measurement of pleural pressures during effusion drainage.
Air-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis.

Main Results:

Lung entrapment is potentially reversible with timely therapeutic measures.
Trapped lung results from irreversible fibrous pleural thickening.
Diagnosis depends on the stage of the disease when procedures are performed.

Conclusions:

Early recognition and treatment of lung entrapment are crucial to prevent progression to trapped lung.
Most patients with trapped lung are asymptomatic or have mild dyspnea.
Symptomatic cases of trapped lung may necessitate pleural decortication.