artificial pneumothorax


ar·ti·fi·cial pneu·mo·thor·ax

pneumothorax produced by the injection of air, or a more slowly absorbed gas such as nitrogen, into the pleural space; formerly used for collapse therapy of tuberculosis. Synonym(s): therapeutic pneumothorax

ar·ti·fi·cial pneu·mo·tho·rax

(ahr'ti-fish'ăl nū'mō-thōr'aks) Pneumothorax produced by the injection of air, or a more slowly absorbed gas such as nitrogen, into the pleural space to collapse the lung.

artificial pneumothorax

An intentionally and artificially induced pneumothorax, used to facilitate transcutaneous mediastinal biopsy and, infrequently, to treat pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia. Pneumothorax allows the diseased lung to rest temporarily. The lung collapses when the air enters the pleural space.

Scattered adhesions may afford only a partial collapse. Effusion may occur in about one third of the cases. Hazards include pain, infection, and respiratory distress.

See also: pneumothorax