Bilateral tension pneumothorax resulting from a bicycle-to-bicycle collision

• Published in: BMJ case reports Vol. 2009; no. dec07 1; p. bcr0720092054
• Main Authors: Edwin, Frank, Sereboe, Lawrence, Tettey, Mark Mawutor, Aniteye, Ernest, Bankah, Patrick, Frimpong-Boateng, Kwabena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 2009; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Reminder of important clinical lesson
• Subjects: Africa; Airway management; Bicycling; Black; Injuries; Lungs; Male; Mortality; Recreation; Reminder of Important Clinical Lesson; Trauma
• ISSN: 1757-790X; 1757-790X
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr.07.2009.2054

Bilateral tension pneumothorax occurring as a result of recreational activity is exceedingly rare. A 10-year-old boy with no previous respiratory symptoms was involved in a bicycle-to-bicycle collision during play. He was the only one hurt. A few hours later, he was rushed to the general casualty unit of the emergency department of our institution with respiratory distress, diminished bilateral chest excursions and diminished breath sounds. The correct diagnosis was made after a chest radiograph was obtained in the course of resuscitation at the casualty unit. Pleural space needle decompression was suggestive of tension only on the right. Bilateral tube thoracostomies provided effective relief. He was discharged from hospital after a week in excellent health. This case illustrates the need for children to have safety instruction to reduce the risks of recreational bicycling. Chest radiography may be needed to establish the diagnosis of bilateral tension pneumothorax. Needle thoracostomy decompression is not always effective.