Misdiagnosis Analysis of Two Cases of Giant Bullae-associated Pneumothorax
PANG Yao
ZHU Zi-Jiang
Abstract：Objective To analyze clinical features and causes of misdiagnosis of bullae-associated pneumothorax in order to raise awareness regarding bullae-associated pneumothorax through two cases and the corresponding review of literature. Methods The clinical data of two bullae-associated pneumothorax was retrospectively analyzed and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results Both the patients were misdiagnosed as having pneumothorax with the symptom of shortness of breath, and closed drainage of pleural cavity was performed. After the surgery, the patients did not show clinical improvement. The pa-tients were transferred to our department and underwent CT examination, which confirmed the diagnosis of giant bullae. The patients were cured after undergoing gain bulla removal operation and pleurodesis. Conclusion The patients with shortness of breath and large radiolucent area by X-ray should be suspected as having pulmonary bullae. Puncture must not be done. The patients should be followed up by chest computed tomography and further imaging examinations. As soon as the disease is con-firmed, an exploratory thoracotomy should be performed.
Keywords：Giant bullaPneumothoraxMisdiagnosis
Publication Date：2015-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 11-13 )