Bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax: a rare entity.

A young otherwise healthy man presented with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax that resulted in near respiratory failure and severe cardiac dysrhythmia. The magnitude of the patient's clinical manifestations resulted from his severely compromised pulmonary function with its attendant cardiovascular compromise. Prompt bilateral tube thoracostomy relieved his cardiopulmonary distress. This rare clinical entity should be considered in any individual with abrupt onset of severe cardiopulmonary distress.