Massive spontaneous hemothorax during the immediate postpartum period.
Nontraumatic hemothorax is a rare cause of postpartum respiratory distress. We present a case of massive spontaneous hemothorax, which presented during the immediate postpartum period and was initially treated as pulmonary embolism. Further investigation revealed a tiny lung nodule: although pulmonary arteriovenous malformation was considered, the imaging appearances tended to counter this interpretation. Eventually, in the absence of another cause for spontaneous hemothorax, on either clinical or imaging grounds, we diagnosed spontaneous arteriovenous malformation. Its management is discussed herein.
Doshi
Harikrishna M
HM
Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2ZN. hdoshi@nhs.net
Robinson
Stuart
S
Chalhoub
Tony
T
Jack
Stuart
S
Denison
Alan
A
Gibson
George
G
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004322:Drainage; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006494:Heparin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006494:Heparin Antagonists