scholarly journals A Case Report of Delayed Hemothorax Complicated by Fibrothorax

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-190
Author(s):  
Tanvi Chokshi ◽  
Alexandra Theodosopoulos ◽  
Ethan Wilson ◽  
Michael Ysit ◽  
Sameir Alhadi ◽  
...  

Delayed hemothorax is a potentially life-threatening complication of thoracic trauma that should be carefully considered in all patients presenting with thoracic injury. We report a case of delayed hemothorax in a 77-year-old male presenting eleven days’ status post multiple right mid- to high-rib fractures. His case was complicated by retained hemothorax after CT-guided chest-tube with subsequent video-assisted tube thoracostomy (VATS) revealing fibrothorax necessitating conversion to open thoracotomy. Known risk factors for development of delayed hemothorax include older patient age, three or more rib fractures, and presence of mid- to high-rib fractures, and should be used in risk stratification of thoracic trauma. Tube thoracostomy is often sufficient in management of delayed hemothorax. In rare cases, hemothoraces can be complicated by retained hemothorax or fibrothorax, which require more invasive therapy and carry greater morbidity and mortality.

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1154
Author(s):  
Silvia Fattori ◽  
Elisa Reitano ◽  
Osvaldo Chiara ◽  
Stefania Cimbanassi

This study aims to define possible predictors of the need of invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support, in addition to predictors of mortality in patients with severe thoracic trauma. Data from 832 patients admitted to our trauma center were collected from 2010 to 2017 and retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, type of respiratory assistance, chest injuries, trauma scores and outcome were considered. Univariate analysis was performed, and binary logistic regression was applied to significant data. The injury severity score (ISS) and the revised trauma score (RTS) were both found to be predictive factors for invasive ventilation. Multivariate analysis of the anatomical injuries revealed that the association of high-severity thoracic injuries with trauma in other districts is an indicator of the need for orotracheal intubation. From the analysis of physiological parameters, values of systolic blood pressure, lactate, and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score indicate the need for invasive ventilatory support. Predictive factors for non-invasive ventilation include: RTS, ISS, number of rib fractures and presence of hemothorax. Risk factors for death were: age over 65, the presence of bilateral rib fractures, pulmonary contusion, hemothorax and associated head trauma. In conclusion, the need for invasive ventilatory support in thoracic trauma is associated to the patient’s systemic severity. Non-invasive ventilation is a supportive treatment indicated in physiologically stable patients regardless of the severity of thoracic injury.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Pourmand ◽  
Hamid Shokoohi

Colonoscopy is currently a widespread procedure used in screening for colorectal cancer. Iatrogenic colonic perforation during colonoscopy is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. “Triple pneumo” (a combination of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoperitoneum) following colonoscopy is a rare but a serious condition requiring immediate diagnosis and emergent intervention. In majority of these cases a colonic perforation is the initial injury that is followed by pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum through the potential anatomical connection with retroperitoneal and mediastinal spaces. In this rare case report we are presenting a case of “triple pneumo” with no evidence of colonic perforation. This patient developed a simultaneous pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, and a tension pneumothorax requiring immediate tube thoracostomy. This case may raise the awareness on the likelihood of these serious complications after colonoscopy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakiko Kumata ◽  
Katsunari Matsuoka ◽  
Shinjiro Nagai ◽  
Mitsuhiro Ueda ◽  
Yoshinori Okada ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Intraoperative contralateral pneumothorax during one-lung ventilation is a rare but life-threatening complication. Although the exact incidence is unknown, only 14 cases with this complication have been reported until now. Case presentation A 67-year-old Japanese man with a weight of 80 kg, height of 162.2 cm, and body mass index of 30.4 kg/m2 underwent three-port video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer with one-lung ventilation. He had suffered from traumatic right rib fractures 6 weeks before the referral. Fifteen minutes before the end of the surgery, the systolic blood pressure suddenly dropped to about 50 mmHg, which was immediately recovered by intravenous injection of phenylephrine. This episode occurred during chest closure after the completion of the left upper lobectomy, and one-lung ventilation was soon switched to two-lung ventilation. Contralateral tension pneumothorax was noted by the postoperative chest x-ray. As the patient was complicated with obesity and a past history of rib fractures, increased airway pressure during one-lung ventilation related to obesity together with the persistent compression of the visceral pleura by the fractured ends of the ribs was considered to be the factors responsible for this critical complication. Conclusions Patient backgrounds such as obesity and past history of rib fractures should be noted carefully as risk factors for intraoperative contralateral pneumothorax during one-lung ventilation. We present the clinical course and discuss the mechanism of development of this potentially life-threatening complication in the present case with a review of the literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 5806
Author(s):  
Jonathan Bates-Powell ◽  
David Basterfield ◽  
Karl Jackson ◽  
Avinash Aujayeb

Introduction: Falls cause 75% of trauma in patients above 65 years of age, and thoracic trauma is the second commonest injury; rib fractures are the most common thoracic injury. These patients have up to 12% mortality, with 31% developing pneumonias. There is wide variation in care. Northumbria Healthcare has a team of respiratory consultants, physiotherapists, specialist nurses and anesthetists for thoracic-trauma management on a respiratory support unit. Methods: With Caldicott approval, basic demographics and clinical outcomes of patients admitted with thoracic trauma between 20 August 20–21 Aprilwere analyzed. A descriptive statistical methodology was applied. Results: A total of 119 patients were identified with a mean age of 71.1 years (range 23–97). Of the 119 patients, 53 were male, 66 females. The main mechanism of injury was falls from standing (65) and falls down stairs/bed or in the bath (18). Length of stay was 7.3 days (range 1–54). In total, 85 patients had more than one co-morbidity, 26 had a full trauma assessment and 75 had pan CTs. The mean number of rib fractures was 3.6 and 31 (26%) patients had a pneumothorax and/or haemothorax. A total of 18 chest drains were inserted (all small bore) and one needle aspiration was performed. No cardiothoracic input was required. Isolated chest trauma was present only in 45 patients. All patients had a pain team review, 22 erector spinae catheters were inserted with 2 paravertebral blocks. Overall, 82 patients did not require oxygen, 1 required CPAP and 1 HFNC. 7 needed intensive care transfer. Furthermore, 20 (17%) developed pneumonias and 16 (14%) deaths occurred within 30 days—all were in those with falls from standing. There was no correlation between number of fractured ribs, length of stay and mortality. Conclusions: High level care for thoracic trauma can be performed by a physician led team. Overall, 42% pneumothoraces/haemothoraces were observed. Further large scale randomised trials are warranted for definitive outcomes.


JMS SKIMS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-119
Author(s):  
Munir Ahmad Wani ◽  
Mubarak Ahmad Shan ◽  
Syed Muzamil Andrabi ◽  
Ajaz Ahmad Malik

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon and often life-threatening complication of cholelithiasis. In this case report, we discuss a difficult diagnostic case of gallstone ileus presenting as small gut obstruction with ischemia. A 56-year-old female presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. A CT scan was performed and showed an evolving bowel obstruction with features of gut ischemia with pneumobilia although no frank hyper density suggestive of a gallstone was noted. The patient underwent emergency surgery and a 60 mm obstructing calculus was removed from the patient's jejunum, with a formal tube cholecystostomy. JMS 2018: 21 (2):117-119


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Bhattacharya ◽  
J Jegadeeson ◽  
J Ramsingh ◽  
P Truran

Abstract Introduction Post-operative haemorrhage is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of thyroid surgery and occurs in 1 in 100 patients. Our aim was to assess current levels of awareness of post-operative haemorrhage in the surgical department and to improve confidence in managing this. Method Questionnaires with a combination of clinical questions were distributed amongst nurses, foundation doctors, senior house officers and registrars in the surgical department. Results There was a clear gap in awareness in all grades. The British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid surgeons (BAETS) have guidance on the management of these patients and in particular the acronym SCOOP (Steristrips removed, Cut subcuticular sutures, Open skin wound, Open strap muscles, Pack wound). 18/24 of participants had not heard of the SCOOP protocol. Most nurses (6/12) all junior doctors (8/8) showed lack of confidence in managing patients with suspected bleeding. Conclusions An informative poster was created for relevant clinical areas as per the BAETS recommendation. These posters outlined the steps in the SCOOP acronymas well as the main clinical signs of haemorrhage. BAETS recommend that all first responders, including nursing staff, junior doctors and the crash team should be aware of the SCOOP protocol. Simulation training sessions are in progress for these members of staff.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazen Zaarour ◽  
Samer Hassan ◽  
Nishitha Thumallapally ◽  
Qun Dai

In the last decade, the desire for safer oral anticoagulants (OACs) led to the emergence of newer drugs. Available clinical trials demonstrated a lower risk of OACs-associated life-threatening bleeding events, including intracranial hemorrhage, compared to warfarin. Nontraumatic spinal hematoma is an uncommon yet life-threatening neurosurgical emergency that can be associated with the use of these agents. Rivaroxaban, one of the newly approved OACs, is a direct factor Xa inhibitor. To the best of our knowledge, to date, only two published cases report the incidence of rivaroxaban-induced nontraumatic spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH). Our case is the third one described and the first one to involve the cervicothoracic spine.


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