Pneumothorax contralateral to traumatic costal fractures

Abstract

In this case report, a 19-year-old woman suffered a high-energy trauma to her left side with multiple left-sided fractures, including ribs 8-12, with no pneumothorax on the left side, but a large right-sided pneumothorax. Contralateral pneumothorax is extremely rare in primarily unilateral trauma, especially when no contralateral rib fractures are present. A possible explanation is that of a barotrauma due to increased intrathoracic pressure with external compression. Careful examination of both sides of the body is necessary when evaluating patients with unilateral trauma, as serious organ injury may occur contralaterally.