Apical pneumothorax means that gas enters the pleural cavity at the apical position of the lungs, and the negative pressure environment of the pleural cavity there is altered.
The pleural cavity is a closed negative pressure space in physiologic state, when gas enters into this closed space due to trauma or lung disease, etc., it is called pneumothorax. In general, pneumothorax is categorized into closed, tension and open pneumothorax according to the relationship between the pressure in the pleural cavity when pneumothorax occurs and the magnitude of the external atmospheric pressure, with tension and open pneumothorax being more serious.
The apices of the lungs are the bluntly rounded upper ends of the lungs, immediately above the pleural roof. Common causes of apical pneumothorax include ruptured lung blisters, chest injuries, and strenuous exercise.
People with apical pneumothorax need to seek active medical attention, analgesia under doctor’s supervision, and choose conservative or surgical treatment.