A 26 year old man presents to emergency department with increasing shortness of breath on left side and chest pain. He has been a heavy smoker for the past 4 years. He doesn’t have any past med history. What is the likely diagnosis?

The key is e. Pneumothorax. [A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between

parietal and visceral pleura. This air pushes on the outside of the lung and makes it collapse. It may be

complete collapse or partial. A pneumothorax can be idiopathic or caused by a blunt or penetrating

chest injury, certain medical procedures, or damage from underlying lung disease and rupture of

subpleural blebs. The main symptoms of a pneumothorax are sudden chest pain and shortness of

breath. Pneumothorax may be i. spontaneous pneumothorax ii. Iatrogenic pneumothorax and iii.

tension pneumothorax. History and physical examination remain the keys to making the diagnosis of

pneumothorax. Chest X-ray is most commonly used.

In given case Increased shortness of breath and chest pain with no past medical history favours the dx of

pneumothorax. Heavy smoking or tobacco is a risk factor for spontaneous pneumothorax].