A 24-year-old man presents with acute onset right-sided pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. He is tall and thin. CXR confirms a large right-...

Question

A 24-year-old man presents with acute onset right-sided pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. He is tall and thin. CXR confirms a large right-sided pneumothorax (3cm rim of air). He is clinically stable. What is the most appropriate initial management?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration (needle aspiration)

Answer

Chest drain insertion (Seldinger technique)

Answer

High-flow oxygen therapy

Answer

Observation and discharge with outpatient follow-up

Answer

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

ukmla MCQ (SBA): Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

A 24-year-old man presents with acute onset right-sided pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. He is tall and thin. CXR confirms a large right-sided pneumothorax (3cm rim of air). He is clinically stable. What is the most appropriate initial management?