21st February 2025

A 24-year-old woman presents with acute-onset breathlessness.

A 24-year-old woman presents with acute-onset breathlessness. She has no past medical history and is on no regular medications. A chest X-ray in A&E demonstrates a 3 cm left-sided pneumothorax. A pleural aspiration is carried out in A&E. Following the aspiration, the patient reports that she has ongoing breathlessness. A repeat chest X-ray demonstrates that the pneumothorax rim is now 1 cm. 

What is the most appropriate next step in management?

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