Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

03 March 2008

Pneumothorax in Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia: A case report, review of clinical characteristics and management

Samuel Okoh, Kuttetoor Vasudevarao Gopal

Am J Case Rep 2008; 9:120-124 :: ID: 843047

Abstract

Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection that occurs in immunosuppressed populations, primarily patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Pneumothorax complicates 5% of PCP and may be the initial presentation in about 6% of cases. Pneumothorax portends a poor prognosis for patients with HIV infection, and management can be complicated and unsatisfactory.
Case Report: We present a young Caucasian female, initially diagnosed as having community acquired pneumonia (CAP) but later found to be PCP. Subsequently the patient developed pneumatoceles and pneumothorax. We review the clinical characteristics of and current concepts for the management of PCP associated pneumothorax.
Conclusions: PCP still remains an important AIDS defining illness and still represents a significant index presentation. PCP should be considered in pneumonias with multilobar and cystic features in relatively healthy young adults. Pneumothorax is a very important complication of PCP and can present in a subtle fashion. Cysts and pneumatoceles on radiographs should warrant close observation and follow up. Management of PCP associated pneumothorax is complicated and difficult. No one technique is consistently successful and there is no agreement on the best modality of therapy for complicated cases. Pneumothorax in the setting of PCP portends signifi cantly higher morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, Pneumothorax

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  Germany

Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PET

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839  

13 Feb 2024 : Case report  Bahrain

Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel Hematoma

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519  

Most Viewed Current Articles

10 Jan 2022 : Case report  Germany

A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263

19 Jul 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128

05 Mar 2022 : Case report  Brazil

Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336

02 Apr 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923