PMC8238625_01
Serial axial chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrating reduction in size of the left sided haemothorax over time. Images on the left and right represent CT slices taken at the level of the carina and the lung base, respectively. Day 0 refers to day of admission.
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Chest CT demonstrated a slight reduction in the size of the left sided haemothorax and no evidence of active bleeding (Figure 1(a)). A repeat chest CT revealed a moderate volume haemothorax (Figure 1(b)). Subsequent chest CT showed a small residual basal collection and a thin pleural rind causing tapped lung (Figure 1(c)). Chest CT performed four days later showed significant improvement with minimal residual fluid and near-complete reexpansion of the trapped lung (Figure 1(d)).
Haemoglobin trend throughout admission. The red arrow indicates administration of intrapleural fibrinolysis. The green arrow indicates haemoglobin on follow-up.
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Haemoglobin remained stable throughout the admission, and no blood transfusions were required (Figure 2).
Chest X-ray taken at 2 weeks postdischarge showing clear lung fields and minimal blunting of the left costophrenic angle.
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On follow-up two weeks later, the patient had made a full recovery with CXR demonstrating minimal blunting of the left costophrenic angle (Figure 3).