Iatrogenic pneumothorax refers to a pneumothorax that has developed due to an invasive procedure, secondary to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures related to lung, like thoracocentesis, pleural biopsies, etc. It can also occur during central vein cannulations or in mechanically ventilated patients. Iatrogenic pneumothorax can occur in any individual irrespective of gender or health condition and immediate management is the key step. The management depends solely on the symptoms and level of cardiorespiratory discomfort along with the size of pneumothorax. Patients with small pneumothoraces are usually treated with oxygen therapy. However, there is evidence that oxygen therapy increases resolution rate. Hereby, We report a case of iatrogenic pneumothorax in which we avoided placing a chest tube and treated the patient by continuous high flow oxygenation and monitoring. In this case, iatrogenic pneumothorax is a complication of thoracocentesis done for moderate pleural effusion.

Keywords: Iatrogenic Pneumothorax, Central Venous Cathetrization, High flow oxygen therapy

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526057/#article-23327.s2
2. Crofton and Douglas, 5th edition, Volume 1 , page no. 1183 (under pneumothorax)
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613615/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29941192/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23449179/
6. Fishman’s pulmonary diseases and disorders, 5th edition, Part 9, page no. 1206
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2600088/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4744611/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20696690/
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526057/#article-23327.s7
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16596523/
12. Pleural Diseases, 6th edition, Chapter 24, page no. 387

Dr RJ Bhavna Srivastav

First Year Postgraduate, Department of Pulmonology, Dr VRK Women’s Medical College, Teaching Hospital & Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India