Pneumothorax: A Rare Entity During Pregnancy

Abstract

Pneumothorax is a rarely seen condition during pregnancy, when changes in the respiratory physiology can sensitize the mother and fetusto the signs of hypoxia. Symptoms of pneumothorax, such as dyspnea, tachypnea, and chest pain, can also be attributed to pregnancyand complications with pregnancy and this can lead to misdiagnoses. The limitations in the use of diagnostic tests, such as chest X-rayand computed tomography, make treatment more difficult. Here, we report of two cases admitted to our hospital due to spontaneouspneumothorax during pregnancy. The diagnosis of pneumothorax was made based on a thorax ultrasonography in both patients, whereasa chest X-ray was used in the follow-up period, without the need for a thorax tomography. While one patient was treated via a tube thoracostomy, the other was treated via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.