Spontaneous pyohaemothorax in a teenager with von Willebrand disease: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

An 18-year-old man with a history of type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD) presented with a spontaneous pyohaemothorax. Type 3 VWD may present with both mucocutaneous and deep-seated bleeds, such as visceral haemorrhages, intracranial bleeds and haemarthrosis. There have been very few cases described in children of spontaneous pyohaemothorax. Management of this patient was challenging due to risks of bleeding following surgical drainage, requiring constant replacement with von Willebrand factor concentrate, while monitoring factor VIII levels to balance the risks of thrombosis.