Obligatory medical device diagnostics.
- Radiograph of the chest (radiographic thorax/chest), standing in expiration [pneumothorax: radiopaque, collapsed lung; typical vascular drawing absent]Note: In more than half of cases, pneumothorax remains occult (“hidden”) on radiographic chest.
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Thoracic sonography (ultrasound) [sensitivity: 85-100%; absence of sliding signs of the lung; if a respiratory shift is detected, pneumothorax is excluded].
- Computed tomography of the thorax/chest (thoracic CT) – for further diagnosis.
