Spontaneous pneumothorax in children: a radiological perspective
Ozlem Ozkale Yavuz1,2, Ercan Ayaz3,4, H Nursun Ozcan3
1Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Sihhiye, 06230, Ankara, Turkey. drozlemozkale@hotmail.com.
Pediatric Radiology
|September 16, 2024
Summary
Spontaneous pneumothorax in children is often linked to underlying lung conditions. Radiologists should identify subpleural air cysts and consider underlying diseases in bilateral cases or younger patients to guide treatment and reduce recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common condition with diverse causes.
- Accurate radiological assessment is crucial for effective management and avoiding repeat imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To radiologically characterize the etiologic factors of spontaneous pneumothorax in pediatric patients.
- To correlate imaging findings with underlying causes and patient demographics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 39 children diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax.
- Evaluation of demographic data, presence of underlying lung disease, and imaging findings (including chest computed tomography).
Main Results:
- Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) was diagnosed in 21 children, with 38.9% showing subpleural air cysts.
- Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) in 18 children was most commonly associated with respiratory (33.3%), infectious (33.3%), and interstitial lung diseases (27.7%).
- Children with SSP were younger than those with PSP, and recurrence rates were higher in PSP (52.3%) than SSP (16.6%). Bilateral pneumothorax was noted in three SSP cases.
Conclusions:
- Identifying etiologic factors of pediatric spontaneous pneumothorax aids in recurrence risk reduction.
- Radiologists should assess for subpleural air cysts and suspect underlying disease in bilateral pneumothorax or younger patients.
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