Late clotted haemothorax after blunt chest trauma. Issue 3 (May 1998)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sinha, P; Sarkar, P
• Is Part Of: Journal of accident & emergency medicine. Volume 15:Issue 3(1998)
• Page Start: 189
• Page End: 191
• Publication Date: 1998-05
• Subjects: Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.15.3.189
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2633-6138

Abstract

Abstract : A clotted haemothorax can develop any time after blunt chest trauma. Two cases are described in which late clotted haemothoraces developed which were treated by limited thoracotomy and evacuation of clots. Late clotted haemothorax may occur even in the absence of any abnormal initial clinical findings. Early detection and treatment is important to avoid the complications of fibrothorax and empyema with permanent pulmonary dysfunction. After blunt chest trauma patients should be advised to return to the accident and emergency department for assessment on development of any new chest symptom. Under these circumstances a chest x ray is mandatory to exclude a haemothorax.