title: A case report of lymphangioleiomyomatosis presenting as spontaneous pneumothorax.
abstract: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a commonly encountered problem in the Emergency Department. Patients are often treated without further investigation for an underlying etiology. We present a patient who was unable to completely resolve a pneumothorax and was found to have lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare cystic lung disease. In the past, LAM was difficult to diagnose and had a mortality of 100% after 10 years, but now there is a 71% survival after 10 years. Recent research has led to increased characterization of the pathology and radiographic findings. This article briefly presents the case and discusses the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of LAM.
authors.affiliation: 81st Medical Group, 301 Fisher Street, Keesler AFB, MS 39534, USA.
authors.forename: Ramon A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Riojas
authors.forename: Brady A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bahr
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perciballi
authors.forename: Lachland
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Noyes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D018192:Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery