https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2023.11595

Right-sided spontaneous, massive hemothorax in a 27-week pregnant lady: a case report

Vol. 19 No. 4 (2023)
Submitted: 18 July 2023
Accepted: 11 August 2023
Published: 8 September 2023
Case report, pregnancy, pulmonary varix, spontaneous massive hemothorax
Abstract Views: 904
PDF: 238
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Authors

Pratisha Pradhan
pratisha.7@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6444-4565
Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, KIST MCTH, Imadole, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Alok Kumar
Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, KIST MCTH, Imadole, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Kabita Hada Batajoo
Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, KIST MCTH, Imadole, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Trishna Shrestha
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2460-2271
Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, KIST MCTH, Imadole, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Sneha Pradhananga
Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, KIST MCTH, Imadole, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Spontaneous, massive hemothorax due to pulmonary varix is an uncommon, yet catastrophic cause of respiratory distress during pregnancy and postpartum. Presentation is often confused with pulmonary embolism, the treatment of which, worsens the condition. Diagnosis is challenging because of the elusive abnormalities on radiographic and bronchoscopic examination. Currently, there are no treatment guidelines for pulmonary varix. A 23-year-old pregnant lady in her second trimester, with intra-uterine fetal demise, presented to our emergency with dyspnoea, fever, and right-sided chest pain for three days. Chest X-ray and therapeutic thoracocentesis revealed massive right-sided hemothorax and computed tomography suggested pulmonary varix as the cause which was managed with emergency chest tube drainage. Massive, spontaneous hemothorax due to pulmonary varix in pregnancy is a rare occurrence, but it requires timely, multidisciplinary assessment and management for the betterment of the mother and the fetus.

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How to Cite

Pradhan, P., Kumar, A., Hada Batajoo, K., Shrestha, T., & Pradhananga, S. (2023). Right-sided spontaneous, massive hemothorax in a 27-week pregnant lady: a case report. Emergency Care Journal, 19(4). https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2023.11595
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