11th January 2024

An 18-year-old gentleman presented to the Emergency Department with acute shortness of breath.

An 18-year-old gentleman presented to the Emergency Department with acute shortness of breath. He was found to have a 3cm left-sided pneumothorax on a chest x-ray. He had no past medical history and denied any smoking history. He underwent needle aspiration with the Emergency Department team but remains a little short of breath. A repeat chest x-ray is completed. 

Investigations: 

Chest x-ray: 2.5cm left-sided pneumothorax. 

What is the most appropriate management strategy for this patient? 

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