11th January 2024

A 25-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with sudden onset pleuritic-sounding chest pain.

A 25-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with sudden onset pleuritic-sounding chest pain. She denies any associated symptoms and has never had an episode like this before. There is no history of recent viral illness. She has no past medical history and is a non-smoker. She denies any regular medications apart from the progesterone-only pill, which she takes daily. 

Investigations – 

Chest x-ray: 4cm right-sided pneumothorax, trachea and mediastinum central. 

What is the most appropriate management strategy for this patient? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.