Eureka! A surprising appearance after aspiration of a haemopneumothorax: treat the patient not the radiograph.
We describe the aspiration of a traumatic haemopneumothorax and an unexpected anteroposterior chest radiograph finding after the procedure. Chest aspiration is now routine emergency management for spontaneous pneumothorax. There have been no previous documented reports of this clinical scenario of radiological deterioration with clinical improvement after aspiration of a haemopneumothorax.
Johnston
J J E
JJ
Accident and Emergency Department, University Hospital of North Durham, North Road, Durham DH1 5TW, UK. jeremyjohnston@doctors.org.uk
Dowd
H D
HD
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015505:Chest Tubes; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006468:Hemopneumothorax / Q000628:therapy*; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013396:Suction