Work

Recurrent Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Report of a Rare Case

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is typically caused by tuberculosis or emphysema. Other causes include interstitial lung disease, pneumoconiosis, organizing pneumonias, and rare conditions like Langerhans cell histiocytosis and lymphangiomyomatosis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an uncommon cause of recurrent secondary spontaneous pneumothorax due to the rupture of subpleural necrobiotic nodules. Drugs like methotrexate and leflunomide are known to accelerate the development and progression of these necrobiotic nodules. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, it is believed to result from decreased monocyte activity and increased rheumatoid factor, with macrophages acting as a nidus that interacts with rheumatoid factor to form a nodule, ultimately leading to pneumothorax when it communicates with the pleural space. This report presents a rare case of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax resulting from the rupture of subpleural necrobiotic nodules in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung disease.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.81628

Author: Vinod Kumar

Institution: Madras Medical College

Language: English

Topic: Pleural and Pulmonary Diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4409101992