A case of bilateral tension pneumothorax

A 19-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of sudden loss of consciousness and respiratory arrest. He was diagnosed as having synchronous bilateral tension pneumothorax with giant bullae, and recovered following pleural drainage. Bilateral thoracoscopic bullectomy was performed, but his chest X-ray studies confirmed the presence of free air space in the bilateral pleural cavities for a few months . After discharge, chest X-ray examination demonstrated many neogenetic pulmonary bullae that were became progressively increasing in size . From this case, we recognized that patients with synchronous bilateral tension pneumothorax needed immediate diagnosis, pleural drainage, and careful follow up .