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. 2012:5:12-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.rmedc.2011.11.009. Epub 2011 Dec 28.

Recurrent inflight chest pain due to a solitary bulla

Carlos Echevarria  1 , Richard N Harrison  1
Affiliations

Recurrent inflight chest pain due to a solitary bulla

Carlos Echevarria et al. Respir Med Case Rep. 2012.

Abstract

Ms L is a 47-year-old lady who was referred with severe, left-sided pleuritic chest pain and painful left arm weakness that occurred predictably during consecutive commercial flights. Subsequent investigations diagnosed a large left-sided, isolated bulla. A VATS bullectomy was performed with no complications, and a symptomless flight followed. We discuss here the physiological explanation for her symptoms and the treatment of bulla in this unusual case.

Keywords: Bullectomy; Flight; Inflight; Solitary bulla.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CT pulmonary angiogram demonstrating a solitary left apical bulla.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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