[Clinical features of pneumothorax in patients with active nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease].

UNLABELLED: This study was retrospectively conducted to clarify the clinical features of pneumothorax in patients with active nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. The patients were 9 men and 7 women, with a median age of 70. Pathogenic mycobacteria were 12 Mycobacterium avium complex, 2 Mycobacterium kansasii, and 2 Mycobacterium fortuitum. More than one lung field was affected by NTM disease in 11 patients, whereas 4 patients were given a diagnosis of mild NTM disease only at the onset of pneumothorax. Five patients recovered with rest only, 4 with thoracic drainage, 4 needed surgery, and 2 developed chronic pneumothorax. Five patients experienced more than one recurrence of pneumothorax during treatment for NTM disease. The rate of the complication of pneumothorax in patients with NTM lung disease was estimated at around 2.3%.
CONCLUSION: Pneumothorax associated with NTM lung disease is not rare and is sometimes difficult to control.