Tension pyopneumothorax

Tension pyopneumothorax is a rare complication of pneumonia and subpleural abscess eroding into the pleural space. We present a case of tension pyopneumothorax in a drug addict. Successful treatment consisted of pleural drainage and parenteral antibiotics. The presence of an air–fluid level accompanying tension pneumothorax on chest radiograph should alert the physician to the possibility of this emergency condition.