ArticleCureus2023
When the Lung Refuses to Expand: A Deep Dive Into a Pneumothorax Ex Vacuo Case.
Article in Cureus, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 2 citations in OpenAlex.
- Pneumothorax After VATS for Pleural Empyema in Pediatric Patients.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Missed Foreign Body Aspiration: Fentanyl Patch Leading to Severe Pneumonia and Empyema.Cureus · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Pneumothorax ex vacuo and trapped lung represent challenging clinical entities, especially in the context of pre-existing comorbidities. This case report outlines the diagnostic and management pathway of a 38-year-old patient with cerebral palsy who initially presented with empyema. Following the evacuation of the empyema, the patient developed pneumothorax ex vacuo, a rare phenomenon occurring due to a vacuum-like negative intrapleural pressure initiated by lung collapse. Initially suspected to have an infectious etiology based on laboratory findings, the patient was later found to have a large hydropneumothorax through a combination of imaging, laboratory studies, and clinical evaluations without confirming infection or malignancy. Despite interventions including Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) and Deoxyribonuclease (DNAse) administration to facilitate pleural drainage, the patient's condition persisted, necessitating a surgical intervention that evolved from a minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to a more invasive thoracotomy due to unforeseen pleural thickening. The patient's pre-existing condition of cerebral palsy increased his susceptibility to respiratory complications, including empyema, due to the risk of aspiration. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing such complex clinical scenarios. It also serves as a clinical reminder that pneumothorax ex vacuo is generally benign and does not typically require chest tube placement, as the primary issue is an unexpandable lung that is unresponsive to pleural drainage. The report emphasizes the need for flexible surgical planning and robust postoperative management to optimize patient outcomes. It also clarifies the distinct pathophysiology of pneumothorax ex vacuo compared to primary or secondary pneumothorax, advocating for a comprehensive diagnostic approach and the crucial role of a multidisciplinary team in the management of such intricate cases.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.