Spontaneous pneumothorax with a congenital defect of the pericardium and hyperthyroidism: Report of a case

Abstract

A 24-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of a left spontaneous pneumothorax and hyperthyroidism. Chest computed tomography revealed heart prolapse into the left thoracic cavity, and a congenital defect of the pericardium was suspected. Chest drainage was performed and treatment for the untreated hyperthyroidism was started. Air leakage persisted 1 week after admission. Although minimally invasive therapy was adequate to reduce the risk of a thyroid crisis, pleurodesis was not an option due to the congenital defect of the pericardium. Therefore, a thoracoscopic bullectomy was performed. During surgery, complete defects of the pericardium and left mediastinal pleura were noted. Because of the complete defect of the pericardium and limited pulmonary resection, the risk of incarceration of the heart was considered low. Therefore, no repair was performed. The post-operative course was uneventful.