Primary spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy

Abstract

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is an extremely rare condition during
pregnancy and can occur at any time. Rupture of an apical ampulla or subpleural
bulla is the most common cause in young pregnant women. It is thought to be
due to increased inspiratory activity associated with the peripartum period. Early
detection and prompt diagnosis of this condition are important for the prevention
of some serious complications. The therapeutic methods used in pregnancy do not
differ essentially from those used in non-pregnant patients. Ambulatory drainage of
the thorax has been recommended in treatment. Delivery in these women can be
performed vaginally, with a second phase of labor without effort. We present a case
of primary spontaneous pneumothorax that occurred at 35 weeks of gestation in a
healthy 34-year-old primigravida. Its onset was described as pleuritic chest pain and
dyspnea of sudden onset. The diagnosis was made by plain chest radiography. The
patient was successfully treated with chest tube placement