title: Spontaneous pneumothorax: the sharp rib syndrome.
abstract: Of 49 patients undergoing operation for benign spontaneous pneumothorax, 28 (57%) were found to have a sharp first or second rib. In a series of 100 patients undergoing thoracotomy for other conditions, only eight (8%) were found to have a sharp rib. The association between sharp ribs, apical scars and bullae, and spontaneous pneumothorax is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012272:Ribs / Q000473:pathology; D012737:Sex Factors