Primary spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous pneumothorax in pregnancy is an extremely rare cause of dyspnea with less than 100 cases reported in the literature. A 28-year-old primigravida at 39⁺⁴ weeks of gestation presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain. A chest radiograph revealed a large, left-sided pneumothorax with a collapsed lung. A chest tube was placed with incomplete re-expansion of the lung. A cesarean section under epidural anesthesia was performed for suspected macrosomia. The postpartum was uneventful. Despite its rarity, spontaneous pneumothorax should be excluded in every pregnant woman presenting with sudden onset of dyspnea and chest pain. A heightened index of suspicion is essential for prompt management of this condition, avoiding adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. For a correct diagnosis and management, more solid recommendations and a multidisciplinary approach are needed.