Pneumothorax, More Than Meets the Eye A Woman with Acute Intermittent Pleuritic Pain Associated with Dyspnea and a Dry Cough after a Flight

A 50-year-old woman presented to the hospital with a 2-day history of acute intermittent left-sided pleuritic pain associated with dyspnea and a dry cough after a long-haul flight 7 days prior. She had no fever, night sweats, coryzal symptoms, or leg swelling. There was no past medical history of premature birth, recurrent chest infections, pneumothorax, or venous thromboembolism. She was a life-long non smoker. A post-procedure radiograph was obtained, which revealed successful drain insertion and interval reduction in the size of the pneumothorax. A thoracic computed tomographic scan after chest drainage. The left lung was completely collapsed over a large cystic lesion that measured 8.3 X 12.5 X 13.4 cm, occupying the majority of the left hemithorax. Antinuclear, anti-Ro, and anti-La antibodies were negative. Human immunodeficiency virus testing was negative.