An Unusual Case of Spontaneous Pneumothorax Presenting as Right Lower Quadrant Pain: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax generally presents with symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath. Progression to a tension pneumothorax results in a medical emergency. Rare presentations with abdominal pain are possible and must be considered to expedite appropriate treatment of pneumothorax.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 21-year-old male with primary spontaneous pneumothorax who initially presented to the emergency department with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. History and physical exam were suggestive of acute appendicitis. A large right pneumothorax was incidentally found on computed tomography.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights unusual presentations of pneumothorax. Emergency physicians should consider atypical presentations of chest pathology such as pneumothorax in patients presenting with symptoms consistent with an acute abdomen.