Tension Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum Caused by a Malpositioned Mediastinal Drain in a Patient Following Closure of an Atrial Septal Defect

The Legend of the Buffalo Chest

“…Just like in some other mammal species and the North American bison, an idiopathic cause of interpleural communication can occur in humans. Although some articles state this action must be caused by a congenital abnormality, 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 , 16 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 little is known about the embryologic development of the lungs and pleurae. Most of our knowledge on human development is based on the work of early embryologists, often published more than a century ago, and is established on embryologic studies in mouse models.…”

“…Ever since the article by Schorlemmer et al 3 was published, other authors used the term buffalo chest in case reports and textbooks when describing a bilateral pneumothorax. 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 This was often accompanied by the anecdote of a Native American who was able to kill a bison with a single arrow or gunshot to the chest. 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 , 16 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 29 , 30 , 38 , 39 , 40 We questioned if this buffalo chest was just a myth or an actual anatomic anomaly in bison.…”