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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; 55(5): 310-312
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964902
Original Thoracic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Factors Related to Primary Bilateral Spontaneous Pneumothorax

T.-W. Huang1 [*] , Y.-L. Cheng1 [*] , C. Tzao1 , C. Hung1 , H.-H. Hsu2 , J.-C. Chen1 , S.-C. Lee1
  • 1Division of Thoracic, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 2Department of Radiology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
Further Information

Publication History

received August 19, 2006

Publication Date:
16 July 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Objectives: We studied the risk factors associated with primary bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2002, 102 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were reviewed and divided into two groups. Group A patients had primary spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax (PSBP; simultaneous or nonsimultaneous). Group B included patients with a primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). We compared age, smoking habits, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and radiological findings between groups. Results: Twenty-four patients developed PSBP (24 %). The male-to-female ratio was 22 : 2 in group A and 73 : 5 in group B (p = 0.106). Eleven group A patients (46 %) and 34 group B patients (44 %) were smokers (p = 0.037). The mean BMI was 18.39 ± 2.45 kg/m2 in group A and 19.70 ± 2.00 kg/m2 in group B (p = 0.009). High-resolution computed tomography revealed bilateral lung blebs or bullae in 63 % of group A patients and in 53 % of group B patients (p = 0.724). Conclusion: PSBP was significantly more frequent in patients with a lower BMI and among smokers. These patients require extended hospitalization and vigilant treatment.

Key words

bilateral pneumothorax - spontaneous pneumothorax - risk factors

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1 The first two authors contributed equally to this work.

Shih-Chun Lee

Division of Thoracic Surgery
Tri-Service General Hospital

325, Section 2, Cheng Gong

Nei Hu, Taipei 114

Taiwan - Republic of China

Phone: + 886 2 87 92 71 69

Fax: + 886 2 87 92 70 43

Email: joescool@yahoo.com.tw

URL: http://www.ctsnet.org/home/ctzao

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