title: Persistent spontaneous pneumothorax for four years: a case report.
abstract: Pneumothorax, defined as the presence of air in the pleural space, is           usually classified as spontaneous or traumatic; it is unusual for pneumothorax           to be categorized as being acute or chronic. Even if conservative treatment is           chosen, the pneumothorax is cured when air in the pleural space dissolves into           the venous blood. A 50-years-old Japanese man with no prior medical history           was referred to our department with a right pneumothorax and two rightsided           pulmonary nodules on chest X-ray and CT. The chest radiographs of past           mass screening which was taken four years ago showed right pneumothorax           and right-sided pulmonary nodules. From then, all chest radiograph and chest           computed tomography showed right pneumothorax and pulmonary nodules. But           he underwent no medical interventions. We designed to perform an operation for           a treatment of right pneumothorax and the diagnosis of pulmonary tumors. We           underwent right upper lobectomy and pleural decortication under video assisted           thoracic surgery. We obtained pathological diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor           and surrounding atelectasis. He was cured from pneumothorax and pulmonary           tumors. A unique case of spontaneous pneumothorax presenting with a pleural           air space that was confirmed by chest radiographs and computed tomography           examinations over a 4-year period is reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan. mizunoyoshidasa@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mizuno
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shirahashi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takemura
mesh_terms: D006104:Granuloma, Plasma Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055613:Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery