Causes of Pneumothorax

The pathophysiological mechanisms of spontaneous pneumothorax are unknown, although it is assumed in the primary to be the result of the formation and subsequent rupture of subpleural bullae or blebs. There are theories, such as structural changes in the parenchyma (emphysema-like changes) and that the greater pressure gradient in the vertices causes greater distension of the apical subpleural alveoli, with the consequent formation of blebs and their subsequent rupture.

The pathophysiology, however, is multifactorial and remains unknown, giving rise to the entry of air into the pleural cavity through peripheral pulmonary necrosis or according to the mechanism of each base disease.