Diagnostic approach and management of bilateral pneumothorax due to silicosis in Indonesian male: A rare case.

BACKGROUND

Bilateral pneumothorax due to silicosis was a rare case, so diagnosis and management are essential to the report.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old Indonesian male complained of shortness of breath, cough, and body weight loss. Medical history interpreted pulmonary tuberculosis and successful treatment in 6 months. Physical examination and chest radiograph showed bilateral pneumothorax. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral pneumothorax due to silicosis and treated usage chest tube insertion and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The patient has improved his condition after a few days of receiving post-surgery treatment.

DISCUSSION: Exposure to silica can determine through a spectrophotometer. The therapy of silicosis is still challenging because of the disease's progressivity and complications.

CONCLUSION

Silicosis is not only a chronic and progressive disease but also leads to many complications, including bilateral pneumothorax.