A Rare Case of Vanishing Lung Syndrome

Vanishing lung syndrome (VLS) or idiopathic giant bullous emphysema is a rare condition characterized by giant bulla in one or both upper lobes of the lung, occupying at least one third of hemithorax. The lung appears to be disappearing on routine chest X-ray and it is often mistaken as pneumothorax. Routine chest X-ray cannot differentiate between pneumothorax and giant bulla, HRCT chest is the investigation of choice. The placement of intercostal drainage (ICD) with suspicious of pneumothorax can cause iatrogenic pneumothorax, hemothorax or death.