Recurrent Spontaneous Pneumothorax of Unknown Etiology in a Young Patient: Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Spontaneous pneumothorax is defined as the abnormal accumulation of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall, it occurs without an obvious etiology, such as trauma or iatrogenic causes. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occurs when ther e is no history of underlying lung disease, while secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is associated with a history of underlying lung disease; its diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion and can be confirmed with imaging tests. 

Case presentation: We prese nt a 17 year old patient who presented spontaneous right pneumothorax, requiring placement of endopleural tube and Heimlich cannula with long stay, discharged for resolution and later relapsing in initial symptomatology one week later, requiring hospital readmission. 

Conclusion  The recidivant spontaneous pneumothorax in the context of a young patient with clinical characteristics like those of our patient: tall stature, pectus excavatum, hyperlaxity of the integuments and aortic-mitral murmur, gives us hig h suspicion of a secondary cause, a good clinical history, with particular focus on the maternalfetal history and a detailed physical examination, are the most useful tools to integrate a diagnosis of connective tissue diseases.