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Case Reports
. 2006 Oct 19:1:35.
doi: 10.1186/1749-8090-1-35.

Management approach for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax in consecutive pregnancies based on clinical and radiographic findings

Eric Scott Sills  1 , Henry M Meinecke, George R Dixson, Alan M Johnson
Affiliations
Case Reports

Management approach for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax in consecutive pregnancies based on clinical and radiographic findings

Eric Scott Sills et al. J Cardiothorac Surg. .

Abstract

Objective: To describe management and clinical features observed in a patient's seven spontaneous pneumothoraces that developed during two consecutive pregnancies involving both hemithoraces.

Materials and methods: A 21 year old former smoker developed three spontaneous left pneumothoraces in the index pregnancy, having already experienced four right pneumothorax events in a prior pregnancy at age 19.

Results: Chest tubes were required in several (but not all) hospitalizations during these two pregnancies. Following her fourth right pneumothorax, thoracoscopic excision of right apical lung blebs and mechanical pleurodesis was performed. The series of left pneumothoraces culminated in mini-thoracotomy and thoracoscopically directed mechanical pleurodesis. For both pregnancies unassisted vaginal delivery was performed with no adverse perinatal sequelae. With the exception of multiple pneumothoraces, there were no additional pregnancy complications.

Conclusion: Spontaneous pneumothorax in pregnancy is believed to be a rare phenomenon, yet the exact incidence is unknown. Here we present the first known case of multiple spontaneous pneumothoraces in two consecutive pregnancies involving both hemithoraces. Clinical management coordinated with obstetrics and surgical teams facilitated a satisfactory outcome for both pregnancies. The diagnosis of pneumothorax should be contemplated in any pregnant patient with dyspnea and chest pain, followed by radiographic confirmation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Relative frequency of spontaneous pneumothoraces is marked by blue lines below rectangles depicting the two serial pregnancies organized by trimester. Red arrows indicate timing of thorascopy (pregnancy V) or mini-thoracotomy/thorascopy (pregnancy VI). R = right, and L = left pneumothorax. Black box at terminus represents bilateral fallopian tubal sterilization performed 10 weeks following the sixth pregnancy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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