11th January 2024

A 52-year-old gentleman with no past medical history presents to the Emergency Department with pleuritic chest pain.

A 52-year-old gentleman with no past medical history presents to the Emergency Department with pleuritic chest pain. He denies any recent travel history, any leg swelling or any personal history of venous thromboembolism. He denies any associated symptoms, such as dyspnoea. He has smoked 30 a day since he was 18. 

On examination, respiratory rate is 18 breaths/ minute, oxygen saturations 97% on breathing air, HR 101bpm and BP 140/99mmHg. He has reduced air entry on the right side with reduced chest expansion.

Investigations: 

Chest x-ray: 2.3cm right-sided pneumothorax. 

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