<unk>  is usually benign. Most of the time,<unk>  itself does not need treatment (though the conditions from which it results may); however, if the amount of air is large, it can interfere with breathing and be uncomfortable. It occasionally progresses to a state "Massive<unk> " which is quite uncomfortable and requires surgical drainage. When the amount of air pushed out of the airways or lung becomes massive, usually due to positive pressure ventilation, the eyelids swell so much that the patient cannot see. Also the pressure of the air may impede the blood flow to the areolae of the breast and skin of the scrotum or labia. This can lead to necrosis of the skin in these areas. The latter are urgent situations requiring rapid, adequate decompression. Severe cases can compress the trachea and do require treatment. In severe cases of<unk> , catheters can be placed in the<unk>  tissue to release the air. Small cuts, or "blow holes", may be made in the skin to release the gas. When<unk>  occurs due to pneumothorax, a chest tube is frequently used to control the latter; this eliminates the source of the air entering the<unk>  space. If the volume of<unk>  air is increasing, it may be that the chest tube is not removing air rapidly enough, so it may be replaced with a larger one. Suction may also be applied to the tube to remove air faster. The progression of the condition can be monitored by marking the boundaries with a special pencil for marking on skin. Since treatment usually involves dealing with the underlying condition, cases of spontaneous<unk>  may require nothing more than bed rest, medication to control pain, and perhaps supplemental oxygen. Breathing oxygen may help the body to absorb the<unk>  air more quickly.
Subcutaneous emphysema
Bronchophony
Tracheal deviation
Tracheobronchomegaly
Barrel chest
Visakhapatnam gas leak
Pleural friction rub
Grand Rounds