Simultaneous Bilateral Secondary Pneumothorax Complicating Osteosarcoma: A Case Report

Abstract

The incidence of Simultaneous Bilateral Secondary Pneumothorax (SBSP) occurring as a complication of neoplasm is rare, only <1%. The lungs can be the site for spreading metastatic osteosarcoma. We investigated a 16-year-old female who was diagnosed with right distal femur osteosarcoma, pulmonary metastasis, and a rare SBSP complication. Pneumothorax was observed in both sites of pulmonary metastases and bronchopleural fistula by contrasting chest computed tomography. This pneumothorax is the second one; the previous one was only on one side, before chemotherapy. 12 months after osteosarcoma was diagnosed and four months after SBSP occurred. The progression of osteosarcoma lesions was the cause of patient’s death. SBSP is the leading cause of severe complications in osteosarcoma. The clinician must perform diagnostic strategies for early detection of osteosarcoma and its proper management, which can reduce a patient’s suffering and impairment of the patient’s quality of life, thus decreasing morbidity and risk of mortality.