Intercostal artery laceration following thoracentesis.
Intercostal artery laceration is an unusual complication following thoracentesis, and has been reported only in elderly patients. We report a case of a 78-year-old man who developed a massive hemothorax following thoracentesis. Post-thoracentesis radiograph revealed a substantial increase in pleural fluid, and emergency chest tube insertion identified the hemothorax. He underwent right thoracotomy for repair of the intercostal artery laceration.
Yacovone
Mary L
ML
Department of Health Professions, The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH 44515, USA. mlyacovone@ysu.edu
Kartan
Ritha
R
Bautista
Manuel
M
D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000098:blood supply*; D022125:Lacerations / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013908:Thoracotomy