Pneumothorax is a condition in which air or gas collects in the
"pleural space" or "pleural cavity," which is the space between
the lungs and the chest cavity. This can cause the lung to
collapse. Normally, the lungs sit next to the inner surface of
the chest wall. Thin membranes called pleura cover both the
lungs and the chest wall. A pneumothorax occurs when air either
escapes the lung or leaks in through the chest wall and builds
up in the pleural space between them. This build-up of air can
result in the collapse of the affected lung. There are different
types of pneumothorax, and each one is defined by its cause.
occurs when there is no other underlying lung disease. It is
often caused by the rupture of an air-filled sac in the lung,
called a bleb or bulla. Smoking is associated with a higher
incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax. occurs as a complication
of another lung disease. Lung diseases which are associated with
the development of pneumothorax include: occurs as a result of a
traumatic injury to t