PMC3921660_01
Coronal reconstruction showing the site of the cervical haematoma (arrow). This is the original CT scan on admission. There is no 'whiteout' of the left lung on admission.
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A Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the neck revealed an extensive left sided cervical haematoma (Fig. 1), causing significant airway compression, requiring intubation.
Embolisation at the site of bleeding.
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One of the branch arteries distal to the site of bleeding was successfully negotiated and both the outflow and the inflow were satisfactorily embolised with multiple microcoils (Tornado Platinum Microcoils, Cook Medical Inc., Bloomington, IN) varying in size from 3 to 5 mm (Fig. 2).
Post embolisation demonstrating haemostasis and no active leak.
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There were no immediate complications (Fig. 3) and the patient's haemoglobin level was stable at 10.4 g/dL (haematocrit of 0.32 L/L) in the immediate post procedure period.
CXR demonstrating complete 'whiteout' of the left hemithorax.
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A chest radiograph showed a very large haemothorax with complete whiteout of the left hemithorax (Fig. 4).