Pneumothorax due to apical blebs - surgically treated

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Recurrent left pneumothorax

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Female

Initial chest X-ray

x-ray
Frontal
Frontal
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Left sided pneumothorax.

CXR after recurrent chest pain

x-ray
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Recurring left-sided pneumothorax, this time with apparent small apical air-filled blebs (arrows).

CXR following bleb excision

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Given the repeated episodes, surgical excision was undertaken with a line of surgical staples (arrows) traversing the left apex at the site of the excised blebs.

Case Discussion

Recurrent (non-traumatic) pneumothorax in young people is often due to apical blebs that rupture spontaneously.

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