Will Collapsed Lung show on X-ray?

Yes, a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) can typically be seen on a chest X-ray. An X-ray is one of the most common diagnostic tools used to confirm the presence of a pneumothorax. Here’s how it works:

How a Collapsed Lung Appears on X-ray:

• Visible Air in the Pleural Space: The X-ray will show air trapped between the lung and chest wall. This air prevents the lung from fully expanding, making the lung appear smaller than normal.
• Lung Margin: A collapsed lung will often have a visible gap between the lung’s edge and the chest wall, which is filled with air. This gap is one of the key indicators of pneumothorax.
• Loss of Lung Detail: In some cases, the normal lung markings may be absent in the area of the collapse.

X-ray Findings:

• Small Pneumothorax: A small pneumothorax may show up as a small space between the lung and chest wall, with minimal movement in the lung.
• Large Pneumothorax: A large pneumothorax will show a significant gap between the lung and chest wall, and the lung may appear much smaller on one side of the chest.