The spontaneous collapse of a lung is also known as a spontaneous pneumothorax. The lung collapses because of a buildup of air in the chest space. With a spontaneous collapse there is no warning and the exact cause is not always known. Patients with a spontaneous pneumothorax will have severe shortness of breath and chest pain on the side of the collapsed lung. A collapsed lung is very frightening for the patient and is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Burst Bleb
A primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in patients without any underlying lung disease. According to "Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice," a primary spontaneous pneumothorax generally occurs in males 20 to 40 years of age who are tall and thin. The pneumothorax is caused from the bursting of a minor imperfection of the lining of the lung called a bleb. In patients with a primary spontaneous pneumothorax, there is usually no indication of any illness that precedes the rupture, which means there is no known reason why the bleb bursts.
Preexisting Medical Conditions
A spontaneous pneumothorax can also occur in patients who have a known history of lung disease. Patients who have chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis or tuberculosis are at risk of developing a spontaneous pneumothorax. "Current Diagnosis & Treatment Emergency Medicine" identify pneumonia and asthma as additional diseases that are associated with spontaneous collapse of the lung.
Procedural Causes
There are medical procedures which can cause the sudden collapse of a lung because of the location of the lung in relation to the procedure. If an intravenous line is being placed through a neck vein into the subclavian artery of the chest, there is a potential of collapsing a lung during the procedure. Patients who have a lung biopsy performed could have a spontaneous pneumothorax as a result. In instances where patients are placed on machines that breath for them, there is a risk that a spontaneous pneumothorax can occur.
Traumatic Causes
There are instances where the collapsed lung is caused from trauma to the chest. Penetrating trauma such as gunshot wounds or impaled objects can penetrate the chest wall and allow air into the chest cavity, causing the lung to collapse. Blunt injuries to the chest, such as being struck with a baseball bat or kicked by a horse to the chest can also collapse a lung suddenly.
References
- "Sheehy's Emergency Nursing: Priniciples and Practice"; Emergency Nurses Association; 2009
- "Current Diagnosis & Treatment Emergency Medicine"; C. Keith Stone and Roger Humphries; 2007
