PTX

Medical abbreviation · Respiratory

PTX
Stands forPneumothorax
CategoriesMedical

PTX stands for Pneumothorax, a respiratory abbreviation.

Air in the pleural space between the lung and chest wall, causing part or all of the lung to collapse, with sudden one-sided chest pain and breathlessness. It may be spontaneous, traumatic or caused by medical procedures; tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency.

Example: Tall 22-year-old smoker with sudden left chest pain; CXR shows 3 cm apical PTX, managed conservatively.

Usage notes

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax typically affects tall, thin young men and smokers, while secondary pneumothorax occurs with lung diseases such as COPD and cystic fibrosis. Recent British Thoracic Society guidance (2023) supports conservative or ambulatory management for many stable patients rather than routine chest drains. Tension pneumothorax requires immediate needle or finger decompression. In pharmacology PTX can mean paclitaxel.

More respiratory abbreviations

  • PNA – Pneumonia
  • PND – Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
  • Pplat – Plateau pressure
  • PRVC – Pressure-regulated volume control
  • PSG – Polysomnography
  • PSV – Pressure support ventilation
  • RAD – Reactive airway disease
  • RDI – Respiratory disturbance index
  • RDS – Respiratory distress syndrome
  • RLL – Right lower lobe
  • RML – Right middle lobe
  • RSBI – Rapid shallow breathing index

See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.