A 24 year old tall thin man presents with sudden onset pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. Chest X ray shows a primary spontaneous pneumotho...

Question

A 24 year old tall thin man presents with sudden onset pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. Chest X ray shows a primary spontaneous pneumothorax with a 3 cm rim between lung edge and chest wall at the hilum. He is otherwise stable but breathless at rest. What is the most appropriate initial management?

Accepted Answer

Needle aspiration of the pneumothorax

Answer

Immediate chest drain insertion without aspiration

Answer

Discharge with outpatient review in 2 weeks

Answer

High flow oxygen only and observation

Answer

Urgent thoracotomy and pleurectomy

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Primary spontaneous pneumothorax