Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy: a case report

Abstract

IntroductionSpontaneous recurrent pneumothorax during pregnancy is a rare condition. Few cases have been reported previously in the literature. There is no universal guideline for the management of this condition. Treatment options include conservative management with intercostal drain and surgical management in the form of thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopy.Case presentationWe report a case of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax in a 38-year-old Afro-Caribbean woman on her third trimester of pregnancy. The disease was managed with the insertion of an intercostal drain on three occasions, which was then followed by surgical intervention immediately after pregnancy.ConclusionThe diagnosis of pneumothorax should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pregnant women experiencing chest pain and dyspnoea. No adverse maternal or foetal outcome has been reported in well-managed cases. Management involves good coordination between the obstetric and surgical teams.

Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax in pregnancy – a case report and review of literature

“…The typical symptoms of spontaneous pneumothorax, regardless of cause, include pleuritic chest pain associated with dyspnoea [2,4,9]. However, these typical symptoms are often attributed to paroxysmal tachycardia, neuralgia, or asthma exacerbation, thus contributing to underreporting of spontaneous pneumothorax [4].…”

Spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum in pregnancy: A case report

“…Studies describe an increased risk of recurrence both in pregnancy and during childbirth in patients with pneumothorax (12) . The risk of recurrent pneumothorax in these patients is 30%-40% particularly during labor (13) . Therefore, in any future pregnancy, delivery should be strongly considered when fetal pulmonary maturity can be documented (12) .…”

Neumotórax espontáneo durante la gestación

“…Otra causa puede ser la linfangioleiomiomatosis pulmonar 5,7 . La existencia de una infección pulmonar, el asma, el consumo de cocaína, la hiperémesis gravídica y la historia de neumotórax previo son factores de riesgo de neumotórax 3,5,6,10 .…”

“…El principal riesgo que supone el neumotórax para la madre es el compromiso respiratorio, mientras que los riesgos fetales incluyen la reducción en la perfusión de oxígeno y el parto pretérmino 3,8 .…”

“…Debido a los cambios fisiológicos del sistema respiratorio durante el embarazo, cualquier entidad que provoque una alteración en la ventilación puede ser mal tolerada, tanto por parte de la madre como por el feto 3 . Esta patología debe considerarse en toda gestante que se presente con dolor torácico y/o disnea 3---5 .…”