Recurrent pneumothorax related to diffuse dendriform pulmonary ossification in genetically predisposed individual

Abstract

Diffuse pulmonary ossification (DPO) is a rare disease with unknown pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment options. This report describes the diagnosis of DPO in an otherwise healthy 26-year-old man with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. His father was diagnosed with a similar lung condition in his 30's with computed tomography (CT) images that were strikingly similar to those of the patient. This report suggests that DPO can induce spontaneous pneumothorax and its pathogenesis may have a possible genetic predisposition that needs further research. We describe a case of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax caused by diffuse pulmonary ossification (DPO). The patient's father also had CT evidence of DPO, suggesting that there is a heritable component to DPO.