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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbation With Subsequent Pneumothorax and Aortic Dissection: A Case Report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumothorax, and aortic dissection are all potentially life-threatening intrathoracic pathologies known for presenting with a chief complaint of shortness of breath. The following case involves a 74-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with acute dyspnea. He was found to have concurrent COPD exacerbation, pneumothorax, and aortic dissection. While pneumothorax is a known complication in older patients with underlying COPD, aortic dissection is an exceedingly rare complication. Healthcare providers should consider the possibility of concurrent multiple disease processes in the workup of acute shortness of breath.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.85525

Authors: Rachelle Beste, Mason Bonner, Kara Bragg, Jeremy Collado

Institutions: Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic in Florida

Language: English

Topic: Pneumothorax, Barotrauma, Emphysema

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4411116279