A spontaneous pneumothorax is a collapse of the lung which is due to an internal condition of the lungs and is not the result of external trauma or injury. It may happen at any time, but may also be brought on by changes in air pressure, such as during aeroplane flights or scuba diving, or by harsh movements.
A BHD-associated spontaneous pneumothorax is directly linked to the presence of lung cysts, and BHD researchers have found several patterns in BHD-related pneumothoraces:
- BHD patients who have lung cysts are more prone to having a pneumothorax than those with no history of lung cysts. Data suggest that close to a quarter of those with BHD syndrome have experienced one or more pneumothoraces.
- If a BHD-diagnosed individual does have one pneumothorax, he or she is more likely to have more spontaneous pneumothoraces.
- Both men and women appear to be equally affected.
- Spontaneous pneumothoraces are most likely to occur in the right lung.
- There has been no record of any cases of pneumothoraces occurring in both lungs at the same time, which are known as bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces.
- The youngest age reported for a BHD-associated pneumothorax is 7. The oldest is over 70, in a man who had a spontaneous non-familial mutation of the BHD gene.
- 6% of all those with BHD will have a collapsed lung by the time they are 30 years old; rising to 14% of people who are 40, and 75% for those who are 50.
- Overall, about 10% of all spontaneous pneumothoraces cases are due to a familial background.
Those who have had prior pneumothoraces in their medical history may want to carry a brief record of the treatment received in the past, as this could affect your treatment in the future. Feel free to download a portable health card to carry with you. For information on various treatments, see the Lung treatment section.
