What complication is directly associated with pneumothorax?

A pneumothorax occurs when air enters the pleural space, which can lead to a lung collapse. When the pressure in the pleural cavity becomes greater than that within the lung, the lung cannot expand fully during inhalation, resulting in partial or complete collapse. This is a direct consequence of the air accumulation, which disrupts the normal negative pressure that keeps the lungs inflated. Therefore, identifying lung collapse as a complication of pneumothorax accurately reflects the physiological impact of this condition.

While hypoxia can occur as a secondary effect due to decreased lung function from collapse, it is not a direct complication of pneumothorax itself. Hemothorax, which involves blood accumulation in the pleural space, can also occur in conjunction with pneumothorax but is an entirely different condition. Angina relates to heart-related chest pain and is not connected to pneumothorax. Understanding these relationships is crucial in diagnosing and managing complications associated with pneumothorax effectively.