EJMCR |

Case Report

Volume: 4 | Issue: 2 | Published: Mar 08, 2020 | Pages: 84 - 87 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1579102779

Delayed massive hemothorax from pulmonary laceration complicating rib fractures: a rare case presentation

Authors: Lui Sze Yee , Nurkhairulnizam Abd Halim , Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin

Article Info

Authors

Lui Sze Yee

Emergency and Trauma Department, Hospital Tuanku Fauziah, Perlis, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Nurkhairulnizam Abd Halim

Emergency and Trauma Department, Hospital Tuanku Fauziah, Perlis, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin

Emergency and Trauma Department, Hospital Tuanku Fauziah, Perlis, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Publication History

Received: January 15, 2020

Revised: February 20, 2020

Accepted: March 01, 2020

Published: March 08, 2020

Abstract

Background: The incidence of delayed hemothorax from blunt chest trauma was only up to 7.4%, massive hemothorax being much rarer. Case Presentation: We report a case of this uncommon situation involving a 65-year old gentleman with alleged motor-vehicle accident (MVA) sustaining multiple right 2nd to 8th rib fractures. Despite initial in-patient monitoring, he presented to us again on Day-7 post-MVA with acute shortness of breath and chest pain. Chest radiograph showed homogenous opacity over right lung field with the blunting of costophrenic angle. Right thoracostomy tube drained 800 ml of frank blood upon insertion with a total of 1,250 ml within 12 hours. The patient was subsequently transferred to cardiothoracic center for definitive care. Conclusion: Therefore, the possibility of delayed sequelae following blunt chest trauma should be considered and communicated to the patient to encourage vigilance and home monitoring. Despite rarely requiring emergency surgery, delayed massive hemothorax is potentially life threatening.

Keywords: Traffic accidents, hemothorax, thoracostomy, rib fractures, non-penetrating wounds, case report, green

Pubmed Style

Lui Sze Yee, Nurkhairulnizam Abd Halim, Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin. Delayed massive hemothorax from pulmonary laceration complicating rib fractures: a rare case presentation. EJMCR. 2020; 08 (March 2020): 84-87. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1579102779

Web Style

Lui Sze Yee, Nurkhairulnizam Abd Halim, Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin. Delayed massive hemothorax from pulmonary laceration complicating rib fractures: a rare case presentation. https://ejmcr.com/articles/1459 [Access: December 25, 2024]. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1579102779

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Lui Sze Yee, Nurkhairulnizam Abd Halim, Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin. Delayed massive hemothorax from pulmonary laceration complicating rib fractures: a rare case presentation. EJMCR. (2020), [cited December 25, 2024]; 08 (March 2020): 84-87. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1579102779

Harvard Style

Lui Sze Yee, Nurkhairulnizam Abd Halim, Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin (2020) Delayed massive hemothorax from pulmonary laceration complicating rib fractures: a rare case presentation. EJMCR, 08 (March 2020): 84-87. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1579102779

Chicago Style

Lui Sze Yee, Nurkhairulnizam Abd Halim, Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin. "Delayed massive hemothorax from pulmonary laceration complicating rib fractures: a rare case presentation." 08 (2020), 84-87. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1579102779

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Lui Sze Yee, Nurkhairulnizam Abd Halim, Ida Zaliza Zainol Abidin (2020) Delayed massive hemothorax from pulmonary laceration complicating rib fractures: a rare case presentation. , 08 (March 2020), 84-87. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1579102779