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Spontaneous pneumothorax
Definition:
Spontaneous pneumothorax is a collection of air or gas in the chest that causes the lung to collapse. Spontaneous means there is no traumatic injury to the chest or lung. See also: Pneumothorax Text Continues Below
Alternative Names:
Lung collapse - spontaneous Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
There are two types of spontaneous pneumothorax: - Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
- Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in people without lung disease. It usually occurs in tall, thin men between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the rupture of a small air- or fluid-filled sac in the lung (called a bulla) causes a primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax most often occurs with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other lung diseases commonly associated with spontaneous pneumothorax include: - Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Lung cancer
- Interstitial lung disease
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