Iatrogenic lung hernia, a rare complication of thoracoscopic spinal fusion: A case report and review of literature

Ariel Ruiz de Villa; Omar Obeidat; Anuoluwa Oyetoran; Peters Okonoboh

doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2023.06.035

Iatrogenic lung hernia, a rare complication of thoracoscopic spinal fusion: A case report and review of literature

Radiol Case Rep. 2023 Jul 1;18(9):3240-3242. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.06.035. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Authors

Ariel Ruiz de Villa^{1

2}, Omar Obeidat^{1

2}, Anuoluwa Oyetoran^{1

2}, Peters Okonoboh^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ UCF College of Medicine HCA Healthcare GME Consortium, 6500 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605, USA.
² HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, Internal Medicine Residency Program, 6500 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605, USA.
³ HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, Critical Care Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Abstract

A lung hernia is a rare and potentially severe complication that may occur due to thoracic surgery amongst other etiologies. This case report describes the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and management of a patient who developed an iatrogenic lung hernia after undergoing thoracic fusion surgery at the level of T6-T7. The patient presented with persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, and a nonproductive cough. Initial imaging studies revealed the presence of an abnormality within the pleural space, later confirmed through computed tomography of the chest. This case highlights the importance of considering iatrogenic lung hernia as a potential complication of thoracic fusion surgery and the need for close monitoring and prompt intervention in cases when it occurs.

Keywords: Complication; Hernia; Lung; Thoracic fusion surgery.

Publication types

Case Reports