Trapped lung is an uncommon structural disorder affecting the lungs and preventing normal function.
A trapped lung is associated with:
(1) an external constraint that partially surrounds a portion of the lung
(2) the lung is unable to fully expand or move normally due to this constraint
Causes of a trapped lung:
(1) post-traumatic, especially after rib fracture
(2) pleural fibrosis associated with pleural fistula, pneumothorax, or hemothorax
(3) pleural tumor
(4) iatrogenic (peritoneal dialysis, indwelling pleural catheter, liver transplantation, cardiothoracic surgery, etc)
(5) infection (tuberculosis, empyema, etc)
Pleural fibrosis can be extensive and affect an entire lung (fibrothorax), which is fortunately less common today than in the past.
