Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space inside the chest around the lungs, which leads to a lung collapse.
This article discusses pneumothorax in infants.
For information about pneumothorax in older children and adults, see: Pneumothorax
Alternative NamesAir leak syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA pneumothorax occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in a baby's lung burst, leaking air into the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural space).
The most common cause of pneumothorax is respiratory distress syndrome, which occurs in babies who are born too early (premature).
Meconium aspiration syndrome is another cause of pneumothorax in newborns. As the baby is being born, he or she may breathe in the first bowel movement, called meconium. This may cause breathing problems and the need for a breathing machine.
Less commonly, an otherwise healthy baby can develop an air leak when he or she takes the first few breaths after birth. This occurs because of the pressure needed to expand the lungs for the first time.
Pneumothorax is more common in boys than girls.
SymptomsMany infants with pneumothorax do not have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
The nurses and doctors may have difficulty hearing breath sounds when listening to the infant's lungs with a stethoscope. The heart or lung sounds may seem as if they are coming from a different part of the chest than normal.
Tests for pneumothorax include:
Babies without symptoms may not need treatment. The health care team will monitor your baby's breathing, heart rate, and color.
If your baby is having symptoms, the doctor will place a needle or thin tube called a catheter into the baby's chest to remove the air that has leaked into the chest space.
Treatment can last for a few days to a few weeks.
Expectations (prognosis)Some air leaks will go away on their own within a few days without treatment. Infants who are treated by removing the air with a needle or catheter usually do well after treatment.
ComplicationsAlthough babies on breathing machines are carefully watched, air leaks can occur.
As air builds up in the chest, it can push the heart toward the other side of the chest. This puts pressure on both the lung that hasn't collapsed and the heart. This condition is called tension pneumothorax. It is a medical emergency.
Calling your health care providerOften pneumothorax is discovered shortly after the baby is born. Call your health care provider if your infant has symptoms of pneumothorax.
PreventionThe health care providers in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) should watch your infant carefully for signs of an air leak.
ReferencesDudell GG, Stoll BJ. Respiratory tract disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 101.
Hermansen CL, Lorah KN. Respiratory distress in the newborn. Am Fam Physician, 2007;76:987-994.
Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space inside the chest around the lungs, which leads to a lung collapse.
This article discusses pneumothorax in infants.
For information about pneumothorax in older children and adults, see: Pneumothorax
Alternative NamesAir leak syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA pneumothorax occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in a baby's lung burst, leaking air into the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural space).
The most common cause of pneumothorax is respiratory distress syndrome, which occurs in babies who are born too early (premature).
Meconium aspiration syndrome is another cause of pneumothorax in newborns. As the baby is being born, he or she may breathe in the first bowel movement, called meconium. This may cause breathing problems and the need for a breathing machine.
Less commonly, an otherwise healthy baby can develop an air leak when he or she takes the first few breaths after birth. This occurs because of the pressure needed to expand the lungs for the first time.
Pneumothorax is more common in boys than girls.
SymptomsMany infants with pneumothorax do not have symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
The nurses and doctors may have difficulty hearing breath sounds when listening to the infant's lungs with a stethoscope. The heart or lung sounds may seem as if they are coming from a different part of the chest than normal.
Tests for pneumothorax include:
Babies without symptoms may not need treatment. The health care team will monitor your baby's breathing, heart rate, oxygen level, and skin color.
If your baby is having symptoms, the doctor will place a needle or thin tube called a catheter into the baby's chest to remove the air that has leaked into the chest space.
Treatment can last for a few days to a few weeks.
Expectations (prognosis)Some air leaks will go away within a few days without treatment. Infants who are treated by removing the air with a needle or catheter usually do well after treatment.
ComplicationsAlthough babies on breathing machines are carefully watched, air leaks can occur.
As air builds up in the chest, it can push the heart toward the other side of the chest. This puts pressure on both the lung that hasn't collapsed and the heart. This condition is called tension pneumothorax. It is a medical emergency.
Calling your health care providerOften pneumothorax is discovered shortly after the baby is born. Call your health care provider if your infant has symptoms of pneumothorax.
PreventionThe health care providers in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) should watch your infant carefully for signs of an air leak.
ReferencesDudell GG, Stoll BJ. Respiratory tract disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011.
Hermansen CL, Lorah KN. Respiratory distress in the newborn. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76:987-994.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/27/2012
Kimberly G. Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
There are four types of pneumothorax. The types are: traumatic pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, primary spontaneous pneumothorax, and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.
yes
tracheal deviation
Most people recover fully from spontaneous pneumothorax
A pneumothorax is a pocket of air in the chest cavity, and a hemothorax is a pocket of blood.
Pneumothorax produced by the injection of air, or a more slowly absorbed gas such as nitrogen, into the pleural space to collapse the lung
Pneumothorax-presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity.
Pneumothorax
Apical generally refers to the the tip of a pyramidal or rounded structure, like the lung or the heart. This means that apical pneumothorax is pneumothorax that is being caused at the tip of the lung. Incase you don't know pneumothorax is a colapsed lung. This is generally from a puncture in the lung from multiple possible causes.
To diagnose pneumothorax, it is necessary for the health care provider to listen to the chest (auscultation) during a physical examination
James J. Waring has written: 'Spontaneous pneumothorax' -- subject(s): Pneumothorax
The life expectancy for a pneumothorax depends on various factors, such as the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. With prompt medical treatment, most individuals with a pneumothorax can recover fully and have a normal life expectancy. However, untreated or severe cases of pneumothorax can be life-threatening.