Refractory Pneumothorax Secondary to Lung Cancer in a Patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Toru Kadowaki; Hironobu Hamada; Seigo Miyoshi; Naohiko Hamaguchi; Kimiko Sakai; Ryoji Ito; Miki Yasutake-Oshima; Jitsuo Higaki; Katsumi Kito

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.47.0823

CASE REPORTS

Refractory Pneumothorax Secondary to Lung Cancer in a Patient with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Toru Kadowaki, Hironobu Hamada, Seigo Miyoshi, Naohiko Hamaguchi, Kimiko Sakai, Ryoji Ito, Miki Yasutake-Oshima, Jitsuo Higaki, Katsumi Kito

Author information

Toru Kadowaki
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Hironobu Hamada
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Seigo Miyoshi
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Naohiko Hamaguchi
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Kimiko Sakai
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Ryoji Ito
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Miki Yasutake-Oshima
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Jitsuo Higaki
Department of Integrated Medicine and Informatics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine
Katsumi Kito
Division of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine

Keywords: refractory pneumothorax, lung cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, acute exacerbation

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2008 Volume 47 Issue 13 Pages 1251-1254

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.47.0823

Details

Abstract

An unusual case of refractory pneumothorax secondary to lung cancer in a 69-year-old man patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is described. High-pressure suction applied through chest tube did not resolve the large right pneumothorax. Acute exacerbation of IPF has also appeared. Respiratory state worsened acutely, and the patient died on the fifth hospital day. In the present case, the large right pneumothorax was initially thought to be associated with IPF because pneumothorax is common in patients with IPF. However, postmortem microscopic examination revealed that the refractory pneumothorax was secondary to perforation of the pleura due to a necrotic peripheral lung cancer.

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