Pneumothorax By Richard W Light, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Reviewed / Revised Jan 2021 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Etiology Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Complications Prevention Key Points Topic Resources Pneumothorax Pneumothorax Degree of Collapse Tension Pneumothorax Large Pneumothorax Causes of Secondary Spontaneous... Pigtail Catheter Aspiration... How to do Needle Thoracostomy Pneumothorax is air in the pleural space causing partial or complete lung collapse.