title: Massive spontaneous hemothorax during the immediate postpartum period.
abstract: 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.
authors: Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2ZN. hdoshi@nhs.net
authors: Harikrishna M
authors: HM
authors: Doshi
authors: Stuart
authors: S
authors: Robinson
authors: Tony
authors: T
authors: Chalhoub
authors: Stuart
authors: S
authors: Jack
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Denison
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Gibson
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006494:Heparin Antagonists