The abnormal pattern of thorax in the patients with spontaneous pneumothorax coexists with blebs of the lungs: a commonly observed finding

E. Apostolakis, N.G. Baikoussis

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Patras University School of Medicine, Patras (Greece)

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• Respiratory Medicine

Background and Objectives: Spontaneous pneumothorax is common between young, thin people, usually without previous history of any respiratory disease or symptom. Of note, there has been not observed any other characteristics or findings from thorax imaging (Rx and thorax computed tomography – CT) in these people, in exception of blebs or bullae in upper lobes of the lungs.

Materials and Methods: We studied 19 consecutive young patients (17-40 years old), admitted in the Department with spontaneous pneumothorax. An x-ray in the admission and a CT after complete lung re-expansion were performed in all patients.

Results: In a large percentage of our patients, 14 out of 19 (73.68%) was observed an abnormal pattern of the thoracic cage and the coexistence of blebs and/or bullae in the upper lobes.

Conclusion: The abnormal and particular pattern of thorax in the patients with spontaneous pneumothorax coexists with blebs of the lungs. This is a commonly observed finding.

Corresponding Author: Nikolaos G. Baikoussis MD, PhD; e-mail: ngbaik@yahoo.com

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