Pneumothorax of the lung is a pathological condition that threatens life, in which an accumulation of air (gas) is observed in the pleural cavity. Normally, the lung should be in a straightened state due to the difference in pressure in the pleural cavity and the lung itself. With pneumothorax, the tissue of the lung recedes due to the fact that the pressure in the pleural cavity increases, which in turn is due to the displacement of the mediastinal organs in the other direction.
Causes of pneumothorax of the lung
There are several types of pneumothorax in adults, depending on the underlying causes.
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
This type of disease often has no apparent cause, but people with high growth and smokers are most prone to pathology. The following factors can provoke a pathology:
- congenital weakness of the pleura, which can burst during an attack of coughing, laughter, physical stress;
- flight by plane;
- diving.
Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
Pathology develops due to pulmonary diseases and other pathologies with lung tissue damage:
- sarcoidosis;
- cystic fibrosis;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- abscess of the lung;
- pneumonia;
- lung cancer;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- polymyositis, etc.
Traumatic pneumothorax
Its causes can be:
- medical manipulations (venous catheter installation, pleural biopsy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, etc.);
- open and closed chest injuries, penetrating chest wounds.
Symptoms of pneumothorax of the lung
The condition is accompanied by such signs:
- sudden attack of dry cough;
- severe shortness of breath;
- sensation of lack of air;
- sharp stitching pain in the chest area, giving to the neck, shoulders, upper abdomen;
- heart palpitations ;
- the appearance of sticky sweat;
- blue skin;
- the appearance of foamed blood from the wound (with open trauma).
Consequences of pneumothorax of the lung
Complications of pneumothorax are observed in about half of cases of pathology and can be:
- inflammation of the pleura;
- compression of large vessels or heart;
- internal bleeding ;
- subcutaneous emphysema.
In severe cases (with penetrating wounds, extensive lesion volume), a fatal outcome can occur.
Treatment of pneumothorax of the lung
If you suspect a pneumothorax, you should immediately call an ambulance. If there is an open wound, then before the arrival of a doctor it is necessary to impose a sealed bandage. After hospitalization, treatment methods are determined by the type and cause of the pathology. The main task is to remove air (gas) from the pleural cavity and restore it to negative pressure.