Subclavian Artery Branch Pseudoaneurysm Rupture With Massive Hemothorax in a Patient With Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a rare disorder that occurs secondary to pathogenic variants in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 17. Characteristic clinical manifestations include multiple hyperpigmented macules, axillary and inguinal freckling, optic gliomas, and numerous skin neurofibromas. Vasculopathies are a rare complication of this disease and can affect vessels ranging from the proximal aorta to small arterioles, with pathology including arterial stenosis, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations. Aneurysms in these patients are often asymptomatic, and most patients with this complication appear for treatment after vessel rupture. We describe a 33-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 who presented with chest pain and was ultimately found to have a ruptured left subclavian artery branch pseudoaneurysm leading to a large hemothorax.

Massive hemothorax due to two bleeding sources with minor injury mechanism: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Massive hemothorax resulting from a minor injury mechanism is considered to be rare particularly when the diaphragm is injured. We report a case of massive hemothorax with bleeding from the intercostal artery and diaphragmatic damage caused by minor blunt trauma. CASE PRESENTATION: An 83-year-old Japanese man was transported to our hospital 3 hours after falling out of bed. Computed tomography revealed hemothorax and multiple rib fractures. He underwent fluid resuscitation and a tube thoracostomy, but he became hemodynamically unstable. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed worsening hemothorax with contrast extravasation 4 hours after arrival at the hospital. Emergency angiography indicated hemorrhage in the area supplied by the tenth intercostal artery. Transcatheter arterial embolization stabilized his vital signs for a short period. However, further hemodynamic stabilization required a thoracotomy, which revealed diaphragmatic trauma, which was removed and sutured before fixing his fractured ribs. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation without complications on hospital day 29. CONCLUSIONS: Minor mechanisms of blunt trauma can cause rib fractures and massive hemothorax. Traumatic diaphragm injury should be considered a differential diagnosis if hemodynamic instability persists after transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with lower level rib fractures.

Spontaneous Hemothorax, A Rare Face of Vertebral Osteochondroma.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondroma is the most common benign tumor of the bone. It is usually asymptomatic, but complications may result from mechanical injury to adjacent anatomic structures, such as the diaphragm and lung, when located intrathoracically. CASE REPORT: We report the unusual occurrence of a large hemothorax and lacerated right diaphragm in a 41-year-old woman caused by vertebral osteochondroma affecting the eleventh thoracic vertebra. Thoracoscopic exploration with resection of the osteochondroma and repair of the diaphragm was performed. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Spontaneous hemothorax is a potential life-threatening condition when the initial diagnosis is postponed and hemodynamic instability and hypovolemic shock occurs. Osteochondroma as a cause of spontaneous hemothorax is uncommon but may require urgent surgical intervention with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery of thoracotomy to control the hemorrhage and prevent recurrence.

Delayed complications and functional outcome of isolated sternal fracture after emergency department discharge: a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of delayed complications, specifically hemothorax, and functional outcome in patients with isolated sternal fracture discharged from the emergency department (ED) compared to patients with other minor thoracic trauma. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in four university-affiliated Canadian EDs. Patients ages 16 and older discharged from the ED with an isolated minor thoracic injury were included and categorized as isolated sternal fracture, rib fracture, or no fracture. A standardized clinical and radiological follow-up was performed at 7 and 14 days as well as a phone follow-up at 30 and 90 days post-injury. Functional outcome was determined using the Medical Outcome Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). RESULTS: A total of 969 patients were included, of whom 32 (3.3%) had an isolated sternal fracture, 304 (31.3%) had rib fracture, and 633 (65.3%) had no fracture. Within 14 days, 112 patients presented with a delayed hemothorax: 12.5% of sternal fracture patients, 23% of rib fracture(s) patients, and 6% of minor thoracic injury patients without fracture (p<0.05). At 90 days, 57.1% of patients with sternal fracture had moderate to severe disability compared to 25.4% and 21.2% for both of the other groups, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this prospective study, we found that 12.5% (n=4, p<0.05) of patients with sternal fracture developed a delayed hemothorax, but the clinical significance of this remains questionable. The proportion of patients with sternal fracture who had moderate to severe disability was significantly higher than that of patients with other minor thoracic trauma.

Functional Impact of a Minor Thoracic Injury: An Investigation of Age, Delayed Hemothorax, and Rib Fracture Effects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether minor thoracic injuries (MTIs) relate to subsequent functional limitations. BACKGROUND: Approximately 75% of patients with an MTI are discharged after an emergency department (ED) visit, whereas significant functional limitations can occur in the weeks that follow. METHODS: A 19 months' prospective cohort study with a 90-day follow-up was conducted at 4 university-affiliated EDs. Patients 16 years and older with an MTI were assessed at initial ED visit, 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after injury. Functional outcome was measured using the SF-12 scale. General linear model were used to assess outcome. RESULTS: A total of 482 patients were included, of whom 127 (26.3%) were 65 or older. Overall, 147 patients (30.5%) presented with at least 1 rib fracture and 59 subjects (12.2%) with delayed hemothorax. At 90 days, 22.8% of patients still had severe or moderate disabilities on global physical health score. Patients with solely delayed hemothorax and no rib fracture had the lowest global physical health score (46.4 vs 61.1, P < 0.01, effect size =  -2.60) than patients with simple MTI. Generally, functional limitations also increase with increments of number of rib fracture detected on radiograph. Outcomes were not different among patients 65 years or older when compared to their younger counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study of MTIs, severe to moderate disabilities were present in nearly 1 patient out of 5 at 90 days. The presence of delayed hemothorax and the number of rib fracture were associated with increased functional limitations after a MTI.

Hemotórax traumático causado por exostosis costal solitaria / Traumatic Hemothorax Caused by Solitary Costal Exostosis

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Thoracic gunshot wounds: alterations to pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength.

BACKGROUND: The impact on respiratory function of gunshot injuries to the chest is unknown. The objective is to assess pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength (RMS) in patients who have recently sustained an isolated gunshot injury to the chest. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, patients with isolated gunshot injuries to the chest were prospectively identified. Study patients underwent pulmonary function testing and an assessment of RMS and gas exchange. RESULTS: Ten male patients sustaining an isolated pulmonary gunshot wound were prospectively enrolled with a mean age of 29 years ± 10 years and mean Injury Severity Score of 15 ± 5. All patients had an associated pneumothorax (n = 1), hemothorax (n = 4), or a combination of both (n = 5). After removal of all thoracostomy tubes and before discharge [7.4 days ± 5.4 days (range, 2-21 days)], patients underwent respiratory function testing. Lung volume subdivisions were reduced by 25% to 60% of predicted and diffusion capacity by 37% with preservation of the normal ratio of diffusion capacity to alveolar volume. In the six subjects able to perform spirometry in seated and supine postures, forced vital capacity decreased by 20% when changing posture (p = 0.046). Arterial blood gas analysis showed significant reduction in the P(AO)2/FIO2 ratio (or increase in AaDO2). Maximal respiratory pressures were severely reduced from predicted values, the maximal inspiratory pressure by 60% and the maximal expiratory pressure by 78%. CONCLUSIONS: Lung volumes and RMS are decreased moderately to severely in patients who have sustained an isolated pulmonary gunshot wound. Expiratory muscle force generation is more severely affected than inspiratory muscle force. Further investigation of the long-term impact of these injuries on respiratory function is warranted.

Diaphragmatic injury presenting as delayed hemothorax.

Diaphragmatic injuries are difficult to diagnose if not associated with conditions that require exploration even with the noninvasive and minimally invasive tools available in evaluation of the trauma patient. The diaphragm anatomically and physiologically separates the largest body cavities making it vulnerable to penetrating injuries to the thoracoabdominal region. Its structural and functional importance is reflected in the serious consequences that can result after missed injury. This injury has a highly varied clinical and radiological presentation, and can remain occult. We present a case of diaphragmatic laceration discovered after exploratory thoracotomy for delayed hemothorax.

Pathophysiology of cyclic hemorrhagic ascites and endometriosis.

Massive hemorrhagic ascites (4470 mL, range 1-10 L) in women with endometriosis is a rare condition occurring predominantly in black women. Of the 43 case reports published, 42 are compatible with the hypothesis that the hemorrhagic ascites is predominantly a consequence of excessive ovarian transudation similar to a Meigs syndrome. Indeed, bilateral ovariectomy cures the condition without recurrences, whereas after unilateral ovariectomy or cystectomy recurrence rate is more than 50%; during ovarian suppression by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist ascites disappears, but reappears after treatment. Superficial pelvic endometriosis also contributes to the ascites because after superficial endometriosis destruction the recurrence rate is only 4 in 14. Based on these data, it is suggested, to scrutinize the ovaries for tumors given the analogy with Meigs syndrome. In women desiring fertility, conservative treatment with destruction of endometriosis only can be attempted given the cure rate of some 20%. It is unknown what the effect of ovulation induction would be.

Best timing for thoracoscopic evacuation of retained post-traumatic hemothorax.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the best timing for thoracoscopic drainage of clotted hemothorax in order to ensure safe and effective results and to identify risk factors associated with drainage failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cohort retrospective study of 139 consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic retained hemothorax drainage between April 1997 and May 2005. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 102 patients (73.4%), in whom complete evacuation was achieved, with no accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity requiring reintervention. Conversion to thoracotomy was required in 22 patients (15.8%) because of the inability to attain adequate drainage of clots and collections and lung re-expansion. Fifteen patients (10.8%) required reintervention as a result of fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity and lung collapse, and thoracotomy was performed in all those cases. The best results were obtained when thoracoscopic drainage was performed before the fifth day. There were 33 major post-operative complications including 20 cases of empyema of which 10 required thoracotomy, and 13 bronchopleural leaks, four of which required open surgery. There were no fatal outcomes in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Videothoracoscopy must be considered the procedure of choice for the treatment of retained post-traumatic hemothorax. It is a safe and effective procedure allowing the successful treatment of up to 73.4% of patients. Best results are obtained when drainage is performed within the first five days after trauma.

Spontaneous hemothorax and neurofibromatosis: a review of a lethal combination.

We present a case report of spontaneous hemothorax associated with neurofibromatosis. On review of the literature, a significant mortality rate of 36% is revealed in addition to a surgical mortality of 33%. Treatment options are reviewed and potential management strategies are discussed.

The 'double lung point': an ultrasound sign diagnostic of transient tachypnea of the newborn.

BACKGROUND: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a mild form of neonatal respiratory distress which early in its course needs to be differentiated from other severe respiratory disorders. At present the diagnosis is based on radiological findings and clinical course. Lung sonography in TTN has not yet been assessed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to define the ultrasonographic appearance of TTN and evaluate its clinical relevance. METHODS: Lung sonography was performed in 32 newborn infants with radiological and clinical signs of TTN within the first hour after birth and the findings were compared with those of 60 normal infants, 29 with respiratory distress syndrome, 6 with pneumonia, 5 with pulmonary hemorrhage and 5 with atelectasis. RESULTS: In the infants with TTN, lung sonography showed a difference in lung echogenicity between the upper and lower lung areas. There were very compact comet-tail artifacts in the inferior fields while these were rare in the superior fields. We designated this finding the 'double lung point' and it was not observed in healthy infants, infants with respiratory distress syndrome, actelectasis, pneumothorax, pneumonia, or pulmonary hemorrhage. Sensitivity and specificity of the double lung point was 100% for the diagnosis of TTN. CONCLUSION: We found lung sonography reliable for the early diagnosis of TTN. We suggest that it should become the first approach for imaging of neonatal respiratory distress although further prospective studies with good blinding need to be performed.