Back to 2025 Thoracic Abstracts
Tension Pneumothorax Following Chest Tube
MAHMOUD KOULOU.
istanbul medeniyet university, prof.dr.suleyman yalcin city hospital, istanbul, Turkey.
Case Report: Tension Pneumothorax Following the Placement of a Chest Tube for Giant Bullae
ABSTRACT: Giant bullous emphysema(GBE) presents unique clinical challenges due to its radiological findings. This case report discusses a 23-year-old male patient with no prior medical history, who presented to the emergency department with sudden onset shortness of breath and chest pain. The initial posterior-anterior (PA) chest X-ray showed mediastinal shift, and a thoracostomy tube was promptly placed. However, subsequent imaging revealed the development of tension pneumothorax, leading to the decision to perform a thoracic CT. The CT scan revealed giant bullae in the right upper lobe along with minimal pneumothorax and mediastinal shift. The patient’s condition worsened, and he was referred to the thoracic surgery team for urgent intervention.
This case highlights the importance of early recognition and appropriate intervention in GBE patients. While PA chest X-rays may provide sufficient initial information, thoracic CT can be crucial in guiding treatment and preventing complications, underscoring the need for timely diagnosis and intervention.
KEY WORDS: Giant bullous emphysema, tension pneumothorax, emergency surgical intervention, chest tube, mediasten shift.
Back to 2025 Thoracic Abstracts
