Pneumothorax identified in a Primary Care Center: A case report on the differential diagnosis of chest pain
Chest pain is a common symptom in primary care settings that requires rapid differential diagnosis. In this case report, the diagnostic process, emergency management, and recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in a young patient are presented. A 17-year-old male with no history of smoking and a tall, thin body habitus presented to a family health center with sudden-onset left-sided chest pain during exertion. Physical examination revealed hypotension (80/60 mmHg), tachycardia (110 beats/min), and decreased breath sounds over the left hemithorax. The patient was referred to the emergency department with a preliminary diagnosis of PSP due to hemodynamic instability, and the diagnosis was confirmed by chest radiography followed by tube thoracostomy. During follow-up, the patient developed recurrent pneumothorax on the same side after discharge. PSP is an important cause of sudden-onset chest pain in young, asthenic individuals and requires urgent intervention in the presence of hemodynamic instability. Due to its high recurrence rate, long-term follow-up and patient education are essential.
Key Words: Pneumothorax spontaneous, primary health care, chest pain, physical examination, emergency service, recurrence.
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