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Pneumothorax

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Pneumothorax

Definition:

A pneumothorax is collection of air or gas in the space surrounding the lungs.

Alternative Names:

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Air around the lung; Air outside the lung

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pneumothorax may result from chest trauma, excessive pressure on the lungs, or an underlying lung disease such as  COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. In some cases, the cause is unclear.

See also spontaneous pneumothorax, traumatic pneumothorax, and tension pneumothorax.

References:

Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000. 

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.

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