Case Report
Volume: 6 | Issue: 9 | Published: Dec 29, 2022 | Pages: 173 - 176 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/73-1660231671
The space between: pneumothorax or bulla
Authors:
Lydiya Thomas
, Ratna Alluri
, Mahendran Chetty
, Mohammed Khalil
Article Info
Authors
Lydiya Thomas
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom
Ratna Alluri
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom
Mahendran Chetty
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom
Mohammed Khalil
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom.
Publication History
Received: August 11, 2022
Revised: December 07, 2022
Accepted: December 07, 2022
Published: December 29, 2022
Abstract
Background: Distinguishing between a bulla and pneumothorax can sometimes be difficult especially in the absence of preexisting lung disease, leading to inappropriate intervention. Case Presentation: We report the case of a well 32-year-old male who presented with a year's history of insidious onset breathlessness. A routine chest radiograph was thought to show a large pneumothorax. He had chest drains placed with no radiological improvement. A video-assisted thoracic surgery procedure revealed a giant bulla. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of correlating clinical assessment with radiological findings. Early Computerised Tomography (CT) imaging should be considered prior to pleural intervention in clinically stable patients.
Keywords: Pneumothorax, bulla, chest drain, chest X-Ray, vanishing lung syndrome, green
