Pneumothorax

- as for adults

This occurs when air escapes from inside the lung and lies between the two coats of tissue surrounding the lung (pleura). The pressure of this air causes the lung to collapse. Pneumothorax is caused by the bursting of weak walls of either alveoli or a lung bleb or sometimes a cyst. There may be no obvious cause (spontaneous pneumothorax) but sometimes it is the result of trauma, such as a road traffic accident. It is more common in children with cystic fibrosis and asthma.

A tension pneumothorax develops if there is an accumulation of air under pressure in the pleural space. This condition is rare but develops when injured tissue forms a one-way valve, allowing air to enter the pleural space and preventing it from escaping naturally. It needs very prompt treatment to release the pressure.