The footballer of Rome, Evan Ndicka, is currently under observation after falling ill during the recent Serie A match against Udinese.
Doctor Massimiliano Appodia, pulmonologist of the Italian Sports Medicine Federation (FMSI), told Dire that the player's clinical picture is compatible with thoracic trauma with minimal left pneumothorax. However, recovery times remain difficult to estimate and will be determined following further tests.Pneumothorax is a condition characterized by the presence of air in the pleural space, which can cause difficulty breathing and chest pain. According to Dr. Appodia, treatment depends on the cause and extent of the pneumothorax. If the pneumothorax is small, the patient may require only a period of observation and suspension from physical activity until the clinical and radiological picture resolves.
It is important to note that pneumothorax is not an uncommon occurrence in the world of sports, especially in disciplines where trauma is common. Some notable cases in football include that of Napoli footballer Christian Maggio in 2014 and Inter Milan footballer Javier Zanetti in 2010.
Confirmation of the diagnosis occurs through chest X-rays, and the resumption of physical and sports activity will depend on the complete resolution of the pneumothorax and the absence of complications. Appodia recommends a targeted evaluation with high-resolution computed tomography to exclude pulmonary alterations susceptible to recurrence.
Article published on 16 April 2024 - 11:42
