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(Chest. 1996;110:1102-1105.)
© 1996 American College of Chest Physicians

Pneumothorax ex vacuo

John H. Woodring MD, FCCP1; Michael D. Baker MD1; and Paul Stark MD2

1 From the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Ky.
2 From the Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine and Radiology Service, Palo Alto VA-Medical Center, Palo Alto, Calif.

Pneumothorax ex vacuo is a little-known complication of lobar collapse. In this condition, acute bronchial obstruction from mucous plugs, aspirated foreign bodies, or malpositioned endotracheal tubes causes acute lobar collapse and a marked increase in negative intrapleural pressure around the collapsed lobe. As a result, gas is drawn into the pleural space around the collapsed lobe while the seal between the visceral and parietal pleura of the adjacent lobe or lobes remains intact. The pneumothorax spontaneously resolves when the bronchial obstruction is relieved and the lobe reexpands. Recognition of pneumothorax ex vacuo is crucial in directing treatment to relieve the bronchial obstruction rather than inserting a chest tube into the pleural space.

Key Words: pneumothorax ex vacuo • pneumothorax • atelectasis • lobar collapse • pleural physiology

Submitted on February 7, 1996
Accepted on April 1, 2007




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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 1996 by the American College of Chest Physicians.