Case Report
1 Security Forces Hospital Program, Emergency Department, Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2 Emergency Department, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Address correspondence to:
Yahia Yaseen Akeely
MD, Security Forces Hospital Program, Emergency Department, Riyadh City 11481, P.O. Box 3643,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Message to Corresponding Author
Article ID: 100110Z06YK2022
Introduction: Pneumothorax is a potentially dangerous condition that, if not properly recognized and treated, can have fatal consequences. Chest discomfort or difficulty breathing is common presenting symptoms. We present an atypical presentation for pneumothorax.
Case Report: A 26-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department (ED) with complaints of pain in the right iliac fossa with localized rebound tenderness. The treating physician ordered a computed tomography (CT) abdomen to assess for acute appendicitis. From the abdominal CT scan, the radiologist reported a significant right-sided pneumothorax. The patient was treated with a chest thoracostomy and had an unremarkable recovery.
Conclusion: All alternative diagnoses are considered in light of the patient’s complaint and clinical presentation. This case reminds physicians of possible atypical clinical presentations of common and serious diseases.
Keywords: Appendicitis, Missed diagnosis, Pneumothorax, Referred pain
The authors thank Dr. Gary Vilke for editing the manuscript.
Author ContributionsYahia Yaseen Akeely - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Abdelwahed Syyar Alenezy - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Sultan Mohammed Al Marzouqi - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Nader Bokhari - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Mohammad Yousef - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guaranter of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
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