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BACKGROUND Vanishing lung syndrome (VLS), also known as idiopathic giant bullous emphysema, is a rare manifestation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and usually occurs in middle-aged smokers. This report presents a 58-year-old female smoker with COPD and VLS who presented with spontaneous pneumothorax. The pneumothorax was managed with a chest tube and was later complicated by massive subcutaneous emphysema. CASE REPORT A 58-year-old woman with a past medical history of long-term smoking and COPD presented with worsening shortness of breath. Upon initial evaluation, she had tachypnea and hypoxia (SpO₂ 93%). Chest radiography revealed a new right-sided pneumothorax on top of extensive bullous disease, which the patient already had. The drainage of the pneumothorax was successful with a pigtail catheter. However, during the following night, after insertion of the pigtail catheter, the patient developed massive subcutaneous emphysema, which was confirmed with imaging. The patient remained hemodynamically stable, and diffuse subcutaneous crepitus was present on examination. The pigtail catheter was repositioned, resulting in complete resolution of the subcutaneous emphysema in the following 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of a timely diagnosis and management of the possible presentations and complications of VLS. Complications such as pneumothorax are life-threatening and require urgent management, taking precedence over the curative treatment for VLS, surgical bullectomy.

BACKGROUND Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a rare cause of prostatic abscess. Risk factors include genito-urinary instrumentalization and immunocompromised states. Because of the lack of guidelines on the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of SA prostate abscess, the diagnosis can sometimes be challenging. Our patient was a 60-year-old man who initially presented with lower back pain and was diagnosed with a methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia, prostate abscess, osteomyelitis, and myositis. CASE REPORT A 60-year-old man presented with lower back pain. He had a past medical history of incompletely treated MSSA cervical osteomyelitis with epidural abscess, alcohol use disorder, intravenous drug use (IVDU), and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM). He was afebrile and hemodynamically stable. Laboratory test results revealed leukocytosis and an elevated C reactive protein (CRP). Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed vertebral osteomyelitis and right psoas myositis. Blood cultures isolated MSSA. The patient was treated with vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam. On day 5, our patient reported having fever, chills, flank pain, and dysuria. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 4.0×4.9 cm prostatic abscess. CT-guided percutaneous abscess drainage was performed, and fluid culture revealed MSSA. Both antibiotics were discontinued and cefazolin was started following sensitivities. Post-drainage pelvic ultrasound (US) showed resolution of the abscess. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of a rapid diagnosis of SA prostate abscess in patients with documented risk factors and characteristic symptoms. Timely management with antibiotics and drainage as indicated are imperative to avoid further complications from the underlying bacteremia, including sepsis and metastatic infections.