21st February 2025

A 56-year-old man is seen in oncology clinic for monitoring of his lung cancer.

A 56-year-old man is seen in oncology clinic for monitoring of his lung cancer. His symptoms are currently well controlled and he does not report any recent worsening of his chronic breathlessness and cough. His oncologist finds reduced air entry on the right side of his chest on examination, so sends him for a same-day chest X-ray. The chest X-ray demonstrates a right-sided pneumothorax which measures 3 cm at the apex and 1 cm at the hilum. 

What is the most appropriate management of the pneumothorax?