Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a Healthy Young Woman: Discussion About Treatment Options

A spontaneous pneumothorax, a potentially life-threatening condition, is a disease process in which air enters the space between the visceral and parietal pleural of the lung, thus increasing the pressures in that space. It can be diagnosed by both physical exam and radiographic testing. In this case, we present a 21-year-old, otherwise healthy woman who presented with sudden, sharp shoulder pain and chest tightness and was diagnosed with her first, spontaneous pneumothorax. We further discuss the diagnosis and treatment options for a first-time spontaneous pneumothorax.