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International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
[Spontaneous pneumothorax in pregnancy. Case report]
Javier Alfonso Pinedo-Onofre1, Fátima Guadalupe Ortiz-Castillo, Lorenzo Guevara-Torres
1División de Cirugía y Servicio de Cirugía de Tórax, Hospital Central Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México. dr_creatura@hotmail.com
Spontaneous pneumothorax in pregnancy is rare but serious. Prompt diagnosis and chest tube treatment are crucial for maternal and fetal well-being.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pulmonology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is uncommon during pregnancy, often linked to increased respiratory demands.
- Maternal risks include respiratory compromise, while fetal risks involve reduced oxygenation and preterm labor.
- SP recurrence rates are significant (30-40%), especially during labor.
Observation:
- A 22-year-old pregnant patient at 24.2 weeks presented with acute right-sided chest pain and dyspnea.
- Physical examination revealed diminished breath sounds and hyperresonance on the right.
- Chest radiography confirmed a right-sided spontaneous pneumothorax with complete lung collapse.
Findings:
- The case highlights the importance of considering pneumothorax in pregnant patients with chest pain and dyspnea.
- Successful treatment was achieved with a 7-week course of closed intercostal chest tube thoracostomy.
- This intervention managed the spontaneous pneumothorax effectively during pregnancy.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax is vital in pregnant women presenting with respiratory symptoms.
- Chest tube thoracostomy offers a viable treatment option for spontaneous pneumothorax in pregnancy.
- Management strategies should address both maternal respiratory status and fetal well-being.
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