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Diagnosis
A detailed history including the presence of the risk factors like cigarette smoking, drug abuse, trauma to the chest, other chest disorders like asthma etc.; is taken. A physical examination of the chest and a whole body is performed. The patient is auscultated with the stethoscope to listen the lung and heart sounds. Chest is tapped by fingers to study the type of sound produced. The heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate etc. are noted.
The following sets of test are ordered to arrive at a definite diagnosis.
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Chest x-rays: To view the lung changes and presence of an air in the pleural space if any.
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Computed Tomography (CT scan) of the chest to check for the signs of lung collapse
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