Sudden death due to bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax caused by rupture of congenital lung cysts

Summary A case of sudden death of a 35-year-old woman due to spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax from rupture of congenital lung cysts is reported. The woman had been attended by two doctors before the lethal outcome. The medicolegal aspects pertaining to medical negligence, the diagnostic difficulties and the rare occurrence of the condition are discussed, as is the autopsy procedure.