Pneumothorax should go to which department?

Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

Updated on May 01, 2025

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Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity, leading to symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and chest tightness. If there is a substantial amount of air accumulation, the symptoms can be quite pronounced, and severe cases can lead to respiratory failure and hypoxia. If one seeks medical attention for a pneumothorax, they could visit either the respiratory medicine department or thoracic surgery department. After consulting a doctor, treatment may involve procedures like pleural cavity puncture for air extraction or pleural cavity tube drainage to relieve the symptoms of pneumothorax as quickly as possible.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 32sec

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Causes of pneumothorax

The causes of pneumothorax vary with age. In young people, the condition often occurs in tall, thin individuals, somewhat akin to a balloon. We can liken the lung to a balloon: for shorter, heavier individuals, the balloon is rounder and experiences more uniform stress, whereas for tall, thin individuals, it's as if the balloon is being stretched vertically. Therefore, the tips of the balloon (or the lung) in tall, thin individuals are more prone to rupture. Additionally, for tall, thin individuals, the blood supply to the apical alveoli may not be as robust, making them more susceptible to micro-ruptures. Microscopic anatomical structures have also proven that there are tiny pores in the apical bubble tissues in these individuals. In older adults, the causes of pneumothorax are usually underlying lung diseases, such as chronic smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and other conditions like tuberculosis or HIV infections can also lead to pneumothorax. Some cases are due to traumatic causes like physical injuries or stab wounds, which can lead to secondary or iatrogenic pneumothorax. In summary, while the causes of pneumothorax vary by age, in young people, it more commonly stems from being tall and thin. In older individuals, smoking, tobacco use, chronic bronchitis, and infections are more common causes.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

45sec

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Spontaneous pneumothorax and the difference between pneumothorax.

Simply put, spontaneous pneumothorax is a type of pneumothorax. In the classification of pneumothorax, besides spontaneous pneumothorax, there are also traumatic pneumothorax and iatrogenic pneumothorax. Traumatic pneumothorax is caused by direct or indirect injury to the chest wall, while iatrogenic pneumothorax occurs during medical diagnosis and treatment. Spontaneous pneumothorax often involves underlying lung diseases, such as emphysema, lung bullae, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and pneumoconiosis. It can also occur in healthy individuals without obvious lung abnormalities, typically seen in tall, thin males of young to middle age.

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Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

58sec

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Pneumothorax clinical manifestations

Pneumothorax is primarily caused by various factors, both internal and external to the lungs, leading to a significant accumulation of gas within the chest cavity. Patients exhibit symptoms such as chest tightness, breathlessness, including coughing, chest pain, and other related symptoms, which are collectively referred to as pneumothorax. Patients with pneumothorax can be classified into mild and severe types. Generally, after the onset of pneumothorax, patients who only experience symptoms like panting, chest tightness, chest pain, or coughing, but maintain stable blood pressure and heart rate, are considered to have a mild condition. However, if in addition to these respiratory symptoms, the patient clearly exhibits a drop in blood pressure, a decrease in oxygen saturation, or a reduction in heart rate, these conditions are considered severe and require urgent treatment.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

54sec

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Are the symptoms of pneumothorax severe?

Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity. The severity of symptoms after suffering from pneumothorax can vary, with common symptoms including coughing, chest pain, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. The severity of symptoms largely depends on the amount of air in the pleural space. If the amount of air is small, symptoms might not be noticeable. However, with a larger amount of air, difficulty breathing can be quite severe. In cases of tension pneumothorax, the symptoms can be extremely severe and may even lead to respiratory and circulatory failure in a short period. Patients often experience significant chest tightness, restlessness, dry skin, heavy sweating, and may even lose consciousness. Immediate treatment is necessary, as there could be a risk to life.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

47sec

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Pneumothorax auscultation what sound?

Pneumothorax is a common medical emergency. After suffering from a pneumothorax, symptoms often include chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and coughing. Regarding lung auscultation by a doctor after pneumothorax, the sound heard primarily depends on the amount of air accumulated. If the air accumulation is minimal, the physical signs may not be obvious. If there is a substantial amount of air, the breathing sounds during auscultation are reduced. In cases of a large pneumothorax, the breathing sounds may disappear, while on the healthy side, the breathing sounds may be coarser and intensified. Therefore, if pneumothorax is suspected during a lung auscultation examination, an immediate imaging test should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.