Music and pneumothorax: Secondary pneumothorax in a flautist suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis

Secondary pneumothorax is a condition where pneumothorax occurs as a complication of a pre-existing disease. However, it can also occur in certain professions like musicians who play wind-instruments, precipitated by high intra-alveolar pressure generated while playing high notes. This is a case report of an elderly flautist whose profession, coupled with an active infection with pulmonary tuberculosis led to the development of a right sided secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. After undergoing intercostal chest tube drainage of the pneumothorax most of the patient's symptoms were relieved. He was discharged in a stable condition with Anti-Tubercular Drugs as per the national guidelines.