Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
09:17
Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: March 3, 2023
[Secondary Pneumothorax due to Rupture of Pulmonary Rheumatoid Nodule:Report of a Case]
Takato Onda1, Hidefumi Kita, Tsutomu Yoshida
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tokorozawa Chuo Hospital, Tokorozawa, Japan.
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to rare complications like pneumothorax. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis developed pneumothorax due to an infected rheumatoid nodule in his lung.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Rheumatology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily affecting joints.
- RA can have extra-articular manifestations, including pulmonary involvement.
- Pneumothorax is a rare but serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of pneumothorax secondary to an infected rheumatoid nodule in a patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis.
- To highlight the importance of considering rheumatoid nodules in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary lesions in RA patients presenting with respiratory symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 69-year-old male with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Diagnostic imaging including chest computed tomography (CT) scan.
- Surgical intervention: video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for nodule excision.
- Histopathological examination of the excised nodule.
Main Results:
- Chest CT revealed right pneumothorax and a subpleural nodule with cavity in the right lung.
- Video-assisted thoracic surgery successfully excised the pulmonary nodule.
- Histopathology confirmed the nodule as a rheumatoid nodule with superimposed bacterial infection.
- The patient's pneumothorax was secondary to this infected rheumatoid nodule.
Conclusions:
- Pneumothorax can be a rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis, specifically due to infected rheumatoid nodules.
- Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing such complications.
- This case underscores the diverse pulmonary manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
01:26Pneumothorax-I
A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
01:28Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
Pleural Effusion Overview
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...