Do prophylactic antibiotics reduce mortality in immunocompromised patients with spontaneous pneumothorax?
Date First Published:
November 26, 2009
Last Updated:
November 26, 2009
Report by:
Dr Nigel Salter, SpR, Emrgency Medicine (Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick)
Search checked by:
Dr Nigel Salter, Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick
Three-Part Question:
In [immunocompromised patients with spontaneous pneumothorax] do [prophylactic antibiotics] result in [reduced mortality]
Clinical Scenario:
A 32 year old patient with a history of HIV attends the emergency department with acute onset of shortness of breath. A chest X-ray reveals a right sided large pneumothorax. You wonder whether prophylactic antibiotics will improve his survival rate.