What is the difference between pneumothorax and pulmonary edema?

PTX vs. Pulm Edema: Pulmonary edema can be though of as backed up fluid in the lungs, usually due to diseases involving the heart or the lung. Pneomothorax can be thought of as rupture of a part of the lung. Both can be serious and their treatments are different.

Different: When lungs get filled with fluid is called pulmonary edema as seen in heart failure , when air enters in the pleural cavity ; displaces lung ( pneumothorax ) as seen in reputes of lung bleb , both conditions will interfere lung function , can be lethal if untreated

Definition: Pnemothorax is when the lung collapses and there is air occupying the space outside the lung but inside the thoracic cavity or chest (not a vacuum). Pulmonary edema is when there is fluid in the tissues of the lung more than there should making it "soggy".

Air vs fluid: Air outside the lung is pneumothroax while fluid accumulation of fluid in the lungs is pulmonary edema. Large pneumothroax is a medical emergency that could cause shock and requires immediate treatment. Small pneumothorax could be observed. Pulmonary edema usually result grom CHF and usually treated with diuresis.