Pneumothorax ex vacuo in a Patient with Malignant Pleural Effusion After PleurX Catheter Placement

Introduction Pneumothorax ex vacuo (“without vaccuum”) is a type of pneumothorax that can develop in patients with large pleural effusions. Unlike spontaneous or tension pneumothoraces, pneumothorax ex vacuo does not require chest tube placement. Careful recognition of this type of pneumothorax may save patients and physicians from an unnecessary procedure, and limit patient risk of infection, bleeding and further lung injury