title: Fatal bilateral pneumothoraces complicating dyskeratosis congenita: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genodermatosis, characterized by a triad of reticular skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy and leukoplakia of mucous membranes. It is also associated with a variety of non-cutaneous abnormalities such as bone marrow failure, malignancy and pulmonary complications. Among its wide range of clinical manifestations, fatal pneumothorax has rarely been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 31-year-old Lebanese woman with dyskeratosis congenita who succumbed to devastating bilateral pneumothoraces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Careful surveillance of patients with dyskeratosis congenita is required as incipient respiratory failure due to pneumothorax may be successfully treated if detected at an early stage.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boueiz
authors.forename: Marwan S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abougergi
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Noujeim
authors.forename: Edmond Bou
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Assaf
authors.forename: Ghassan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jamaleddine