# Surgical Resection of a Pneumothorax in an Adult Patient With a History of Wilson-Mikity Syndrome Diagnosed in Childhood

## TL;DR

A 22-year-old woman with a childhood history of Wilson-Mikity syndrome developed a pneumothorax and required surgical resection, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and follow-up in such cases.

## Contribution

This case report provides insight into the surgical management and long-term follow-up of a rare pediatric lung condition in an adult patient.

## Key findings

- The patient's history of Wilson-Mikity syndrome was linked to the development of a pneumothorax.
- Histopathological examination confirmed emphysematous changes consistent with WMS.
- Early surgical intervention and postoperative monitoring improved outcomes.

## Abstract

Wilson-Mikity syndrome (WMS) is a rare condition characterized by various respiratory and pulmonary abnormalities in neonates and infants. However, the diagnosis is based on the findings of physiological tests, such as respiratory function tests. Reports describing the histopathological features of WMS are limited. The patient was a 22-year-old woman with a history of WMS. She had been on a ventilator for the first three months of life due to pulmonary hypertension after early delivery at 24 weeks of gestation and required oxygen therapy until three years of age. One month before presenting at our clinic, the patient experienced chest pain and respiratory distress, and a left spontaneous pneumothorax was diagnosed based on a chest X-ray examination. The pneumothorax improved after the insertion of a thoracic drain but recurred soon thereafter. A histopathological examination revealed emphysematous changes associated with WMS in the background lungs, consistent with brevity. No postoperative complications were observed. The thoracic drain was removed on the second day, and the patient was discharged on the eighth postoperative day. Postoperatively, the patient was started on inhaled medication and was carefully monitored every three months. The present case suggests that childhood interviews are very important for adult patients who develop pneumothorax and that early surgical treatment may be selected based on a detailed interview. Moreover, postoperative follow-up should be carefully performed in collaboration with respiratory medicine in patients with pneumothorax originating from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as WMS.