• Pneumothorax is the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity. Air may enter the cavity because of spontaneous (sudden, unexpected) rupture of lung tissue or because of trauma to the chest wall and/or lung (creates an air leak). Emphysema, asthma and TB are associated with spontaneous pneumothorax.
• Spontaneous idiopathic pneumothorax occurs when small blebs of peripheral tissue rupture without warning or apparent cause. Young people are more commonly affected. A cough may lead to sudden pain and dyspnea.