title: Stab to second intercostal space: a bubbling extrapleural wound.
abstract: A 37 year old man was found collapsed at the roadside and taken to the emergency department. Communication was difficult, as the patient could not speak English. There was a wound in the left second intercostal space on the midclavicular line, which was bleeding and was bubbling air. A drain was inserted, bleeding controlled, and his wounds sutured. Chest x ray later confirmed satisfactory placement of the drain. The following day, swelling and discharge indicated oesophageal damage, which was later confirmed by gastrografin swallow. With conservative management in hospital for 2 weeks, he made a full recovery and was discharged.
authors.affiliation: St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. ajabbar@eircom.net
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jabbar
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Plunkett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000293:injuries*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*