[Traumatic subarachnoid-pleural fistula secondary to non-penetrating thoracic gunshot wound].
BACKGROUND
Traumatic subarachnoid-pleural fistula (TSPF) is very unusual and is due to the anomalous communication between the pleural and subarachnoid space. We report a TSPF by Bullet wound that was not penetrating to the thoracic cavity.


METHODS
Masculine of 34 years-old that receives wounded by bullet in the posterior face of thorax. A pleural effusion was identified and medullar wound with fracture of the fifth thoracic vertebra. The effusion is persist and also added headache appear. TSPF was diagnosed for myelography. The patient die before carrying out the surgical treatment. A massive tromboemboly of lug was the cause. The autopsy confirmed the diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The TSPF should be suspected by the association of medullar lesion with a persistent pleural effusion. The diagnosis should be confirmed by radiology. The treatment can be medical or surgical.
Sánchez-Lozada
Raúl
R
Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital General de México O.D. Secretaría de Salud, Dr. Balmis 148, Col. Doctores, Deleg. Cuauhtémoc 07525, México D.F.
Ortiz-González
Jorge
J
Soto Villagran
Rafael
R
D000328:Adult; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005389:Firearms; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*