On pulmonary hernias

Abstract

A pulmonary hernia, i.e. the protrusion of lung tissue through an opening in the wall of the chest cavity under the skin of the chest, is extremely rare. In contrast to the wall of the abdominal cavity, here the conditions for the occurrence of a hernial opening are very unfavorable, since the strong musculoskeletal wall of the chest presents serious obstacles to it. Not surprisingly, therefore, special conditions are required for the occurrence of a pulmonary hernia. Such conditions are: 1) congenital underdevelopment of the chest wall, e.g., a defect of the intercostal muscles. 2) sudden repeated increases of intrathoracic pressure, e.g. when coughing, playing wind instruments, etc., 3) trauma accompanied by violation of the integrity of the thoracic wall with subsequent replacement of the defect by a scar. The latter factor is predominant in the origin of pulmonary hernia.

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