Recurrent pneumothorax associated with bronchial atresia: report of a case

We herein report a case of recurrent pneumothorax associated with congenital bronchial atresia. A 26-year-old male presented with chest pain. Chest roentgenograms showed left pneumothorax, a left apical bulla and an area of hyperlucency in the left upper lung field, and chest computed tomography revealed a discontinuation of the left superior bronchus. Additionally, both ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy showed a defect in the left superior segment. A thoracoscopy-assisted left superior segmentectomy was performed, and a pathological examination indicated left superior segmental bronchial atresia, which might have predisposed the peripheral lung to emphysematous conditions. No relapse was observed 6 months after the operation. Although this entity is rare, congenital bronchial atresia should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient has suffered from a recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax.