Elective over emergency: The role of precise diagnosis in managing Giant bullae in COPD patients - A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Bullous lung disease, characterized by large air-filled spaces in lung tissue, includes a significant subset called “giant bullae,” occupying over 30 % of a hemithorax, often linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Accurate differentiation between giant bullous emphysema and pneumothorax is crucial to prevent unintended interventions. Misdiagnosing as pneumothorax might lead to chest tube placement with associated complications, including hemothorax, empyema, continuous air leak, prolonging hospitalization and increasing healthcare costs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old male, with a COPD history and marijuana use, presented to the ED with recurring sharp right chest pain exacerbated by expiration and shortness of breath. Initial assessment raised pneumothorax suspicions. A medical history and chart review revealed a CT from five years prior, indicating a 6 cm bulla in the right upper lung. A confirming CT scan diagnosed a bulla, leading to elective bullectomy scheduling. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Distinguishing between giant bullous emphysema and pneumothorax is pivotal. This report underscores diagnostic precision's importance, accentuating therapeutic considerations for lung bullae in COPD patients. Misdiagnosis risks chest tube placement, necessitating awareness of associated complications. CONCLUSION: This case highlights accurate diagnosis's importance and differential analysis. Misdiagnosis repercussions, from patient care to costs, underscore the diagnosis's critical significance. This extends to urgency scenarios, emphasizing diagnosis's role in patient outcomes optimization. The case confirmed a giant bulla diagnosis, prompting elective bullectomy without chest tube placement.