Abstract
Intercostal artery laceration is an unusual complication following thoracentesis, and has been reported only in elderly patients. We report a case of a 78-year-old man who developed a massive hemothorax following thoracentesis. Post-thoracentesis radiograph revealed a substantial increase in pleural fluid, and emergency chest tube insertion identified the hemothorax. He underwent right thoracotomy for repair of the intercostal artery laceration.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Mary L Yacovone MEd RRT, Department of Health Professions, The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, Youngstown State University, Youngstown OH 44515. E-mail: mlyacovone{at}ysu.edu.
The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
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