Spontaneous Right Hemothorax in the Elderly

Authors

1 Respiratory Department D

2 Thoracic Surgery Department

3 Department of Radiology, Aberrahmen Mami Hospital, University of Medicine, University El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia

4 Respiratory Department D,

Abstract

Rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysm is a life threatening condition. Rupture in the right pleural cavity is extremely rare. We report the case of an 80-year-old man with a spontaneous right hemothorax. Diagnosis was made by computed tomography (CT) scan. He was managed with chest tube and stabilization. The patient died before any surgical intervention. We report this case to emphasize that rupture of aortic aneurysm should be considered in the evaluation of spontaneous hemothorax even if it is right-sided particularly in the elderly. Emergent therapy is necessary to prevent mortality.

Keywords