Hydropneumothorax and Pulmonary Embolism in a Patient With Shortness of Breath

Abstract

This is a case of hydropneumothorax in an elderly man presenting to the emergency department with worsening respiratory symptoms one month after treatment for a chest infection and pleural effusion. Computerized tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) showed an encysted hydropneumothorax and chronic pulmonary emboli. He was anticoagulated, had a chest drain with a good outcome and was discharged for a multidisciplinary team follow-up. This report highlights hydropneumothorax occurring as a result of therapeutic or diagnostic pleural interventions. It also reiterates the importance of identifying the probable cause of a pleural effusion, with pulmonary embolism as a cause that should be ruled out.