Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax: a rare emergency clinical condition.

OBJECTIVE Spontaneous pneumothorax is a disease that may cause serious respiratory distress and can be a life-threatening condition. A total of 1.3% of all spontaneous pneumothorax cases are simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax (SBSP). In this study, because of its rarity, we discuss SBSP cases in light of previously reported cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2004 and December 2009, SBSP was detected in five patients. RESULTS All patients were male, and the mean patient age was 18.6 (between 16 and 22 years of age). All patients had various degrees of dyspnea and chest pain. All diagnoses were established by chest X-rays. Two patients (40%) had primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), and three (60%) had secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) (two patients had silicosis, and one had Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia). Previously, bilateral tube thoracostomies were performed on all patients. One PSP patient had a left apical pleurectomy with axillary thoracotomy; the other had a right apical pleurectomy. Tetracycline pleurodesis was performed on one of the silicosis patients. No additional surgical procedure or pleurodesis was performed on the other silicosis patient or on the pneumonia patient. No recurrence of pneumothorax was observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS SBSP could be a life-threatening condition; therefore, urgent diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this condition can save patients' lives.