Massive Spontaneous Haemothorax

Authors

Keywords:

hemothorax; diagnosis; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hemothorax, when there is no history of trauma, is a rare clinical condition. It can sometimes present as a clinical manifestation of neoplasms, coagulopathies, malformations, systemic diseases, or other non-traumatic etiologies, in which case it is called spontaneous hemothorax.

Objective: To expose the case of a patient admitted with an undiagnosed pleural effusion, which was unexpectedly confirmed in the operating room as a massive hemothorax.

Case presentation: We present the case of a 32-year-old male patient with no history of trauma who presented with dyspnea on minimal exertion. Imaging confirmed a multiloculated pleural effusion. He was taken to the operating room where a massive hemothorax was confirmed. The cause could not be determined, but the patient recovered satisfactorily. The pleural biopsy revealed chronic pleuritis with mesothelial reaction, leading to a diagnosis of spontaneous hemothorax.

Conclusions: Spontaneous hemothorax is a rare condition that should always be suspected even in the absence of prior trauma. A multidisciplinary approach will allow for early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention, which will also enable us to identify the underlying cause and prevent recurrence.

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Author Biography

Javier Pérez Palenzuela, Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico “Hermanos Ameijeiras”

Miembro del grupo de cirugía torácica perteneciente al Servicio de Cirugía General desde el 2009.

Published

2026-06-05

How to Cite

1.
Pérez Palenzuela J, Pérez García K, Madarro Capó CE, Sosa Martín JG. Massive Spontaneous Haemothorax. Acta Médica [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 5 [cited 2026 Aug. 9];27. Available from: https://revactamedica.sld.cu/index.php/act/article/view/1005

Issue

Section

Presentación de caso