Pneumothorax spontané de l´enfant

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a rare pathology in children, which can lead to life-threatening complications. We here report a rare cause of spontaneous pneumothorax such as bullous disorders. The study included a 13-year old girl with a year-history of recurrent bronchopneumopathies. Symptoms were aggravated by the occurrence of stage III dyspnoea (according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA)). Clinical examination performed at the time of admission showed conscious patient, polypneic at 35 breaths/min, 90% ambient air saturation and 99% ambient air saturation under 2 liters of O2. Pleuropulmonary examination showed syndrome of right aerial effusion. Chest x-ray was performed which showed right pneumothorax . The patient underwent chest drainage and, given the persistence of pneumothorax, chest CT scan was performed which showed the presence of a bleb at the level of the upper lobe of the right lung. Then the patient underwent thoracoscopy with resection of the blebs and talcage. Patient's outcome had a median 3-year follow-up with no recurrences.