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Recurrent inflight chest pain due to a solitary bulla
Carlos Echevarria1, Richard N Harrison1
1Department of Lung Health, University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick Road, Stockton TS19 8PE, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Ms L is a 47-year-old lady who was referred with severe, left-sided pleuritic chest pain and painful left arm weakness that occurred predictably during consecutive commercial flights. Subsequent investigations diagnosed a large left-sided, isolated bulla. A VATS bullectomy was performed with no complications, and a symptomless flight followed. We discuss here the physiological explanation for her symptoms and the treatment of bulla in this unusual case.
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