A Rare Cause of Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in an Immunocompetent patient.

Introduction: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening fungal infection caused primarily by Aspergillus species, most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus. It typically affects the lungs, leading to tissue invasion, necrosis, and cavitary lesions. IPA usually presents with nonspecific respiratory symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and fever, along with radiological findings like consolidations, nodules, or cavitations. While these manifestations are well-documented, spontaneous pneumothorax as a presentation of IPA is extremely rare. The pathophysiology of pneumothorax in the context of IPA is thought to involve rupture of necrotic or cavitary lung tissue into the pleural space, resulting in air leak. Due to its infrequent occurrence, IPA-related pneumothorax is often overlooked, which can delay diagnosis and timely initiation of antifungal therapy. Recognizing this unusual presentation is crucial for clinicians, as early identification and management significantly influence patient outcomes and reduce associated morbidity and mortality.