Classification of pneumothorax

By Dr Deepu

Cartoon showing mechanism of pneumothorax

Chest radiograph- right sided pneumothorax

chest radiograph- left sided pneumothorax

Size Classification of Pneumothorax

(A) The American College of Chest Physicians defines the size of a pneumothorax

        by the apex to cupola distance (≥3 cm large; <3 cm small).

(B) The British Thoracic Society defines the size of a pneumothorax

        by the interpleural distance measured at the hilum (≥2 cm large; <2 cm small).