Bilateral pneumothorax resulting from the bronchoscopic removal of a puncture vine fruit.
Because pneumothorax may impair ventilation, it should be included in the differential diagnosis whenever ventilating problems are encountered during intraoperative procedures. Since pneumothorax is not an expected complication following atraumatic removal of tracheobronchial foreign bodies, it may not be considered if ventilation problems arise. When a foreign body has one or more sharp spines, however, consideration should be given to the possibility that the spine may have perforated the airway wall and that a pneumothorax may ensue following removal. Removal of a fruit of a puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris) from the junction of the carina and right main stem bronchus was followed by increased resistance to ventilation due to bilateral pneumothorax. Insertion of chest tubes bilaterally returned respirations to normal. Bronchoscopists should be aware of this possible complication of spine-covered foreign bodies.
D001980:Bronchi; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D014132:Trachea