Question

A 38-year-old previously well man presents with sudden pleuritic chest pain and breathlessness. Chest X-ray shows a primary spontaneous pneumothorax with a 3 cm rim of air at the level of the hilum. He is haemodynamically stable. What is the recommended initial management?

Accepted Answer

Needle aspiration

Answer

Conservative observation only

Answer

Immediate chest drain insertion

Answer

High-flow oxygen then discharge

Answer

Thoracotomy

Practice question

A 38-year-old previously well man presents with sudden pleuritic chest pain and breathlessness. Chest X-ray shows a primary spontaneous pneumothorax with a 3 cm rim of air at the level of the hilum. He is haemodynamically stable. What is the recommended initial management?