Table 1. Clinical classification of pneumothorax.

Spontaneous

Primary: no apparent underlying lung disease

Secondary: clinically apparent underlying disease (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis)

Catamenial: in conjunction with menstruation

(Neonatal)

Traumatic

Iatrogenic: secondary to transthoracic and transbronchial biopsy, central venous catheterisation, pleural biopsy and thoracentesis

Non-iatrogenic: secondary to blunt or penetrating chest injury