What causes pneumothorax ( collapsed lung) and what are the symptoms?

Multiple causes: Common causes include chest trauma (like a car accident or a puncture wound to the chest) or medical procedures (like intubation). It can also occur as a complication of lung disease such as emphysema, pneumonia or cancer, or it can happen spontaneously. Typical symptoms include sudden onset of shortness of breath and sharp chest pain made worse by inspiration.

Blebs: Pneumothorax occur in thin tall males and seem to be related to blebs i the lung apex. They can be seen on ct scan. Strenuous lifting causes them to pop and a sudden pain on the chest occurs. Treatment ranges from placement of a chest tube to surgery for bleb removal and mechanical pleurodesis. Hope this information helps.

Hole in lung: Non-trauma, spontaneous pneumothorax occur as a result of an abnormality in the lung tissue. Risk factors for primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (sp) include: smoking (including marijuana), tall thin stature in otherwise healthy, connective tissue disorders, pregnancy, familial history. Sps are associated with 20-40% recurrence rate (depending type).