Pneumothoraces are air pockets within the lung that have expanded to fill in the space of the collapsed alveoli. These alveolar air pockets normally cause no significant problems. However, there are cases where pneumothoraces develop that do not resolve spontaneously. In such cases, the patient develops symptoms of dyspnea, chest pain, and cough.

These symptoms can sometimes be relieved with oxygen inhalation and/or chest tube drainage. Patients who have these symptoms should immediately be referred to an expert, where they can undergo treatment that includes surgical intervention, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber the placement of a chest tube to evacuate air from the lung.

It is possible to overinflate the lung and damage it, if not promptly corrected. This would be true of any overinflation incident, whether the subject was previously healthy or had underlying lung disease.

When patients do not respond to conservative management, referral for treatment by a physician who is trained in hyperbaric medicine should be considered. The treatment protocol usually consists of oxygen administration via a nonrebreather mask or hood during the entire duration of the exposure.

This would be followed by evacuation of the air by means of a one-way valve or a chest tube during the recovery period. The patient then continues to breathe 100% oxygen until his or her condition has been stabilized.