Spontaneous Hemothorax during pregnancy: A case report

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2022 Oct:99:107660. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.107660. Epub 2022 Sep 14.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Spontaneous hemothorax is a rare but life-threatening condition, which is the main cause of respiratory distress during pregnancy and after delivery without any evidence of post-traumatic injury.

Case presentation: A 34-year-old woman, pregnant at 20 weeks, presented in the emergency department complaining of dyspnea accompanied by epigastric pain, with dominance on the left side. Chest X-ray and CT-scan revealed an opacity by displacing heart to the right side. Considering, there was a probability of bleeding from venous arterial malformation. Inappropriate cervical condition two days after the patient appeared thermodynamically stable a cesarean section was performed.

Clinical discussion: Pregnancy leads to increasing the size of AVM by rising cardiac output and hypoxia. Patients who are predisposed to PAVM and intend to be pregnant should be evaluated a priori.

Conclusion: Although the hemothorax is a rare phenomenon during pregnancy, management of fetus following this critical condition requires multidisciplinary assessment.

Keywords: Arteriovenous malformation; Case report; Hemothorax; Pregnancy; Pulmonary.

Publication types

  • Case Reports