21st February 2025

A 72-year-old woman presents to A&E with a 3-day history of general malaise and poor appetite.

A 72-year-old woman presents to A&E with a 3-day history of general malaise and poor appetite. She reports dysuria over the past few days but no other focal symptoms of infection, including no breathlessness or chest pain. She has a history of COPD with chronic type 2 respiratory failure.

On presentation, her heart rate is 85 bpm, blood pressure 108/79 mmHg, oxygen saturations 90% on room air, respiratory rate 17/minute and temperature 37.1°C. Blood tests demonstrate raised inflammatory markers. Chest X-ray shows no evidence of pneumonia but does reveal a right-sided pneumothorax with a 1 cm rim of air. 

What is the recommended management of the pneumothorax in this situation?

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