Pulmonary tuberculoma-induced cyst formation leading to repeated pneumothorax: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Most cases of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis are caused by rupturing of the visceral pleura caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The check-valve airway mechanism in the lungs is generally involved in the formation of pulmonary cysts, which often cause spontaneous pneumothorax. Herein, we describe a rare case of repeated spontaneous pneumothorax suspected to have been caused by pulmonary cyst formation as a result of a tuberculoma. The patient was a man with a family history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Pulmonary cysts were gradually enlarged on the peripheral side of a lung mass in the upper lobe of the patient’s right lung, who experienced two spontaneous pneumothoraxes in the area. Exploratory surgery was performed to diagnose the lung mass and treat the pneumothorax, resulting in a final diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculoma. A check-valve mechanism caused by the pulmonary tuberculoma was suspected based on the patient’s clinical course.