In-flight spontaneous pneumothorax: congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung.
Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare congenital abnormality. Symptomatic presentation in adult life is extremely uncommon. The usual radiological appearance of CCAM is a cystic space-occupying lesion. Patients with underlying cystic lung disease can develop in-flight complications because of pressure-volume changes during ascent. We report the first ever case in which spontaneous pneumothorax during flight was the presenting manifestation of CCAM of the lung in a previously healthy and asymptomatic young adult. We also discuss the physiological changes during air travel which contribute to the pathogenesis of respiratory complications during air travel.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
Karan
K
Madan
Gella
G
Vishwanath
Navneet
N
Singh
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D015615:Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014195:Travel