Tuberculosis Presenting As Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Case Report

TL;DR

A 32-year-old man with tuberculosis developed a life-threatening lung collapse and was treated with a chest tube and anti-TB drugs.

Contribution

This case highlights tuberculosis as a rare but serious cause of spontaneous pneumothorax.

Findings

The patient presented with chest pain and hypoxia due to a right-sided pneumothorax.

CT imaging confirmed tuberculosis as the underlying cause after lung re-expansion.

Conservative treatment with a chest drain and anti-TB therapy was effective.

Abstract

Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) is one of the rare and crucial complications of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and can become a fatal condition if it progresses to tension pneumothorax. This case report describes a 32-year-old male who presented with sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath for the past three hours. On examination, he exhibited tachypnea and hypoxia at rest, and chest imaging revealed a right-sided pneumothorax. Immediate intercostal chest tube insertion was performed and subsequent computed tomography (CT) of the chest was conducted after lung expansion to determine the underlying cause, most likely TB. The patient was subsequently managed conservatively with intercostal chest drain and anti-TB therapy.

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