Spontaneous pneumothorax

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Chest tube insertion - series

Pneumothorax - chest X-ray

Respiratory system

Lung collapse - spontaneous

• Sudden chest pain or chest tightness
  • Chest pain may be dull, sharp, or stabbing
  • Breathing or coughing makes pain worse
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid respiratory rate
• Abnormal breathing movement
  • Splinting --  bending over or holding the chest to protect against pain
  • Restricting chest wall motion when breathing (protection against pain)
• Cough

The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs and breath sounds.

The following tests may also be done:

• Chest x-ray
• Arterial blood gases

Review Date: 02/27/2006
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, CriticalCare & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.