Pneumothorax in a 16-year-old Nigerian male with asthma

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a commonly occurring disease but the combination of asthma with pneumothorax is not as common.
Aim: To outline the diagnostic features and management of this disorder.
Case Report: A 16-year-old male student presented with history of marked dyspnoea, tachycardia and chest findings of bilateral polyphonic rhonchi. Drugs which are used for acute severe asthma were administered. The response was not satisfactory . A chest radiograph showed left pneumothorax. A chest tube was inserted and connected to an under- water seal drainage.
Conclusion: A detailed history and physical examination aided by a chest radiograph are important in patients who present with acute severe asthma to rule out possible complications, such as pneumothorax.


Keywords: Acute severe asthma, Pneumothorax.

Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 121-123