Hromádka P., Škach J., Černohorský S., Křivohlávek M., Gaalová R.: Traumatic Rupture of the Pericardium – the Source of Massive Haemothorax, a Case Report

Czech version

Authors: P. Hromádka; J. Škach; S. Černohorský ^*; M. Křivohlávek ^**; R. Gaalová
Authors‘ workplace: Chirurgické oddělení, Krajská nemocnice Liberec a. s., primář: MUDr. M. Baader ; Chirurgické oddělení, Nemocnice na Homolce, primář: MUDr. M. Toběrný, MBA ^*; Traumatologicko-ortopedické centrum, Krajská nemocnice Liberec a. s., primář: MUDr. R. Lukáš, Ph. D. ^**
Published in: Rozhl. Chir., 2011, roč. 90, č. 4, s. 213-215.
Category: Monothematic special - Original

Overview

Extensive traumatic haemothorax is a life-threatening condition that requires the surgeon’s resolute approach. Massive bleeding may first lead to hypovoleamic shock, then to haemorrhagic shock. The most common sources are bleeding from the chest wall (intercostal artery), bleeding when the lung parenchyma or major intrathoracic vessels are injured.

The case report describes a rare case of massive right-sided haemothorax in pericardial rupture with cardiac herniation in a patient with polytrauma when the source of bleeding was artery pericardium. The report draws attention to the treacherousness of the diagnosis in a polytraumatised patient; the report retrospectively evaluates the interpretation of imaging examinations that were carried out

Key words:
haemothorax – pericardium – pericardial rupture – cardiac herniation – polytrauma

Sources

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