Unusual clotted haemothorax caused by spontaneous intramural haematoma of the oesophagus: a case report

Abstract

Spontaneous intramural haematoma of the oesophagus (SIHO) is a relatively rare event with benign courses. Most of the patients with SIHO may experience spontaneous healing without complications. We report a case of SIHO with clotted haemothorax. Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was successfully applied as a diagnostic and therapeutic method. Although conservative treatment is adequate for the majority of patients with SIHO, uniportal VATS may be a suitable option if there was clotted haemothorax.

Intramural Esophageal Hematoma With Associated Hemothorax

“…Our patient had an associated hemothorax, which while exceedingly rare, has been described. Guo et al 4 reported on a patient with spontaneous IEH who developed clotted hemothorax requiring video-assisted thoracic surgery. Interestingly, in our case, the pleural fluid culture from the chest tube grew E. cloacae , a bacterium that may be acquired from the gastrointestinal tract.…”

“… 1 IEH generally is focal and follows a benign course. 4 We report a rare case of a patient admitted for lower extremity ischemia, who was found to have an obstructing IEH and hemothorax.…”