Pneumothorax as an initial manifestation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Case report: A sixty-five-year-old man with bullous lung disease was admitted to emergency service with chest pain and dyspnea that developed during sleep. Pneumothorax was diagnosed both clinically and radiologically. After the chest drainage, the patient presented with a prolonged air leak that required thoracotomy. Further history and occurrence of pneumothorax during sleep suggested that obstructive sleep apnea might play a role in the development of pneumothorax. Nocturnal polysomnography later confirmed the diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Discussion: We hypothesized that obstructive sleep apnea may be a risk factor for pneumothorax especially in patients with bullous lung disease, and pneumothorax may be listed in the complications of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. © Springer-Verlag 2009.