Question

A 24-year-old tall, slim man with sudden pleuritic chest pain and dyspnoea is found to have a small primary spontaneous pneumothorax (~1.5 cm rim) and minimal symptoms. Best initial management?

Accepted Answer

Conservative management with outpatient review

Answer

Immediate needle aspiration

Answer

Insert chest drain

Answer

High-flow oxygen and admit

Answer

Urgent thoracic surgery consult

Practice question

A 24-year-old tall, slim man with sudden pleuritic chest pain and dyspnoea is found to have a small primary spontaneous pneumothorax (~1.5 cm rim) and minimal symptoms. Best initial management?