Horner's syndrome in a patient presenting with a spontaneous pneumothorax.
Spontaneous pneumothoraces are a common thoracic problem presenting to an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. The symptoms and signs are well described and a chest x-ray examination is usually diagnostic. However the neurological signs, specifically a Horner's syndrome on the ipsilateral side, are not widely recognised. This case illustrates the association and emphasises that when assessing a patient with a suspected spontaneous pneumothorax, an ipsilateral Horner's syndrome supports the clinical diagnosis. Further, its presence makes a tensioning pneumothorax, or as in this case a pneumothorax with significant collapse and apical adhesions, more likely. No previous case reporting the association has had the opportunity for thorascopic assessment and demonstration of likely cause.
Thakar
C
C
Harefield Hospital, Middlesex, UK.
Hunt
I
I
Anikin
V
V
D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome