title: Adhesions as a cause of persistent spontaneous pneumothorax.
abstract: The authors present a case of a patient with a persistent spontaneous pneumothorax (after seven days of chest tube drainage) in whom a tear in an upper lobe bleb was held open by adhesions between the bleb and the chest wall. Radiographic findings which might indicate such a condition are presented, thus altering one to the need for early surgical intervention. Current theories regarding the pathophysiology of pneumothorax in the young and elderly patient are reviewed.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hoover
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mkandawire
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Minnard
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging