Hi there. My mom recently fell and broke her humorous and cracked couple of her ribs. Shes currently hospitalized due to air pockets around her lungs. The hospital made the decision that she should stay for the next 3 days so they can monitor her condition closely. Can you please explain how she ended up with air pockets around the lungs? Also, does this mean that she may have an underlying emphysema? Shes 68 years old and used to smoke many years ago. Thanks...
Hello dearWelcome to Chat Doctor.come have evaluated your query thoroughly.* The air pockets around the lungs is condition of pneumothorax, simply following injury to the lung pleura after injury and rib fracture causing leakage of air from the lungs.* Many cases have underlying emphysema not all. Hope this clears your query. Always feel free to ask further doubts. Regards dear take care.