Pneumothorax Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common Symptoms

Chest pain is typically acute, ipsilateral, and may be sharp or stabbing in nature, according to the British Thoracic Society 3, 1
Dyspnea (shortness of breath) can range from mild to severe depending on the size of the pneumothorax and underlying lung function, as reported by the American College of Chest Physicians 4, 5
Diminished breath sounds on the affected side during auscultation are a common finding, as noted by the European Respiratory Society 5, 1
Tachypnea (rapid breathing) is especially common in larger pneumothoraces or those with underlying lung disease, according to the American Thoracic Society 6
Cough may be present but is not a universal finding, as reported by the British Thoracic Society 4

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax often presents with milder symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals, as noted by the American College of Chest Physicians 4
Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax usually presents with more severe symptoms due to underlying lung disease, according to the European Respiratory Society 4
Tension pneumothorax is characterized by progressive dyspnea that rapidly worsens, as reported by the American Thoracic Society 5
Tachycardia and hypotension are common in tension pneumothorax, as noted by the British Thoracic Society 1
Cyanosis may occur in severe cases of tension pneumothorax, according to the American College of Chest Physicians 1

Decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side are a key finding, as reported by the European Respiratory Society 5, 1
Hyperresonance on percussion of the affected side is a common sign, according to the British Thoracic Society 2
Decreased chest wall movement on the affected side is often observed, as noted by the American College of Chest Physicians 4
Tachycardia is more common in tension pneumothorax or large pneumothoraces, according to the American Thoracic Society 1
Subcutaneous emphysema may be palpable in some cases, as reported by the European Respiratory Society 6

Rapidly worsening dyspnea is a key warning sign, according to the American Thoracic Society 5
Hemodynamic instability (hypotension, tachycardia) is a critical finding, as noted by the British Thoracic Society 1
Oxygen desaturation despite supplemental oxygen is a concerning sign, according to the American College of Chest Physicians 2
Altered mental status may occur in severe cases, as reported by the European Respiratory Society 2
Respiratory distress with accessory muscle use is a common finding, according to the American Thoracic Society 7