Blunt coronary injury presenting as massive left-sided hemothorax.
Hemothorax after blunt trauma results from injury to intrathoracic structures or the chest wall. Tube thoracostomy is the most common mode of treatment; depending on the type of injury, it is frequently the only intervention required. Rarely, blunt cardiac injury can produce hemothorax if a communication exists between the pericardium and pleural space. We describe such a case that highlights the importance of a broad differential diagnosis when treating acutely injured patients.
Tyson
G Hart
GH
Department of Surgery, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Anderson
Curtis A
CA
Rodriguez
Evelio
E
Kypson
Alan P
AP
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000368:Aged; D015505:Chest Tubes; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy