title: Unusual pathogenesis of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to Wegener's granulomatosis.
abstract: Spontaneous pneumothorax represents a rare and potentially severe complication of Wegener's granulomatosis. A 31-year-old man with Wegener's granulomatosis on immunosuppressive therapy was admitted for a right massive spontaneous pneumothorax. After chest drainage he presented with a prolonged air leak that required a surgical treatment. Histologic findings did not reveal any necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis, but only subpleural fibrous tissue. We hypothesize that pneumothorax could be related to the subpleural fibrous retraction induced by immunosuppressive therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialties, Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Storelli
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casali
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Natali
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Uliano
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Morandi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery