Use of imaging studies to predict postoperative recurrences of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a relatively common event in young and predominantly male adults (men: 18–28 per 100,000; women: 1–9.8 per 100,000) (1-3). Most of the patients are healthy, showing no underlying lung disease. Emergency situations are quite rare, but the potential for recurrence is troublesome. At 1 year, the rate of recurrence is ~30% (4,5). Subpleural blebs or bullae are the primary cause of PSP, and bullectomy with pleural procedure is the most curative means of treatment (6)