title: Spontaneous Atraumatic Mediastinal Hemorrhage: Challenging Management of a Life-Threatening Condition and Literature Review.
abstract: Spontaneous atraumatic mediastinal hematomas are rare. We present a case of a previously fit and well middle-aged lady who presented with acute breathlessness and an increasing neck swelling and spontaneous neck bruising. On plain chest radiograph, widening of the mediastinum was noted. The bruising was later confirmed to be secondary to mediastinal hematoma. This life-threatening diagnostic conundrum was managed conservatively with a multidisciplinary team approach involving upper gastrointestinal and thoracic surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, intensivists, and hematologists along with a variety of diagnostic modalities. A review of literature is also presented to help surgeons manage such challenging and complicated cases.
authors.affiliation: St Helen's & Knowsley NHS Trust, Whiston Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Morkos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iskander
authors.affiliation: St Helen's & Knowsley NHS Trust, Whiston Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Khurram
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Siddique
authors.affiliation: St Helen's & Knowsley NHS Trust, Whiston Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaul
keywords: hematoma; mediastinum; spontaneous