Spontaneous pneumothorax

Symptoms:

• chest pain or chest tightness
  • dull or sharp or stabbing
  • begins suddenly
  • worsened by breathing deeply or by coughing

• shortness of breath
• rapid respiratory rate
• abnormal breathing movement
  • splinting of ribs with breathing (for example, by bending over or holding the chest)
  • little chest wall motion when breathing

• cough

Note: The symptoms often begin suddenly, and may occur during rest or sleep.

Signs and tests:

Listening to the chest (auscultation) during a physical examination reveals decreased breath sounds.

Tests performed include:

• a chest X-ray
• arterial blood gases