{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]],"date-time":"2026-09-05T13:11:36Z","timestamp":1788613896425,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":27,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"9","content-domain":{"domain":["bmj.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["BMJ Case Rep"],"accepted":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,22]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Pneumothorax of any cause typically represents a contraindication to air travel. Pneumothorax ex vacuo is often encountered in clinical practice due to non-expandable lung, a common finding in malignant pleural effusion (MPE). The presence of intrapleural air may prevent people diagnosed with terminal illness from participating in air travel. We present the case of a man with pleural mesothelioma who developed a large left hydropneumothorax following initial drainage of MPE. An indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) was placed on subsequent presentation. As the patient wished to undertake a domestic flight with his family, we established a protocol which allowed management of emergent symptoms and the in-flight risk of intrapleural air expansion. This case demonstrates that in carefully selected patients with MPE, pneumothorax ex vacuo and a functioning IPC, air travel may be feasible. Beyond the physiological considerations, the patient was able to fulfil a final trip with his family.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1136\/bcr-2026-274749","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]],"date-time":"2026-09-05T12:15:20Z","timestamp":1788610520000},"page":"e274749","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Indwelling pleural catheter enabling safe air travel in malignant pleural effusion with pneumothorax ex vacuo"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"19","author":[{"given":"Foley","family":"Lachal","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maureen","family":"Goodwin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, 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