Right-sided pneumothorax in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and tuberculosis-affected left lung: a case report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A spontaneous pneumothorax occurring in a patient with underlying lung pathology is classified as a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP). Its main cause is the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), more rarely-a tuberculosis infection (TB). Untreated TB could lead to carnification of a part or the whole lung. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old female patient was admitted with complaints of sudden right chest pain and severe dyspnea. The physical examination showed retracted and deformed left chest part, missing breathing sounds in the left and weakened breathing in the right. Chest CT revealed partial right-sided pneumothorax, bullous changes of the right lung and carnification of the whole left lung. Right thoracocentesis was performed. The postoperative period was uneventful. The chest drain was removed on the fifth day. After more detailed examinations the patient was diagnosed with COPD and TB and was transferred to the Department of Pulmonology and Phthisiatry for further treatment. CONCLUSION: In a patient who has two advanced and complicated lung diseases at the same time (COPD and TB), a spontaneous pneumothorax, even partial, is a life-threatening condition and requires special consideration and urgent therapeutic measures.