Case Series: Interstitial Lung Disease with IPF Pattern Presenting with Spontaneous Pneumothorax – Clinical Course of Two Patients

Amit Toshniwal^*Babaji GhewadeAlushika JainSaket Satyasham Toshniwal

• Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, India

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) encompasses a broad spectrum of fibrosing pulmonary conditions. Pneumothorax is a recognized complication of fibrotic ILD, but simultaneous occurrence with subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum is exceedingly rare. Case Presentation: This case series describes two patients with IPF-pattern ILD complicated by spontaneous pneumothorax. The first case presented to the emergency department with worsening breathlessness and was found to have spontaneous pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema on imaging. The patient deteriorated rapidly and succumbed to respiratory failure. The second case involved a female patient who presented with chronic respiratory symptoms and was later diagnosed with probable UIP-pattern ILD. On follow-up, she presented with worsening symptoms and was found to have a spontaneous pneumothorax, which was treated successfully with conservative management. Conclusion: To the best of current knowledge, this is the first reported case series to document the triad of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax in a patient with fibrotic ILD. The findings underscore the importance of timely recognition and multidisciplinary management in such high-risk patients.