Pneumothorax - Diagnosis



Pneumothorax is diagnosed by listening to the patient's chest. With a stethoscope, a doctor can tell whether the normal sounds of breathing can be heard in the chest. A chest X ray is often taken to follow up on an initial diagnosis. The chest X ray will show pockets of air and a collapsed lung. An electrocardiogram (ECG; pronounced ih-LEK-tro-KAR-dee-o-gram) can also be taken. The ECG will tell whether the heart is functioning normally. Finally, blood tests can be used to diagnose pneumothorax. They will show the level of gases dissolved in the blood.

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