Traumatic hemothorax due to chance fracture requiring emergency surgical management: A report of two cases

Abstract

Traumatic hemothorax is usually caused by thoracic organ damage. Cases of atypical bleeding sources may be difficult to diagnose. Here we present two surgical cases of vertebral fracture that caused hemothorax. Case 1: an 81-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after a fall. Computed tomography showed right hemothorax without rib fractures. He suddenly developed shock and intrathoracic hemorrhage. Thoracotomy revealed the bleeding source as a transverse laceration in T7. Case 2: an 83-year-old woman fell on her back and was admitted. Computed tomography indicated an L1 vertebral fracture. A few days later, she suddenly developed a right hemothorax. An intrathoracic hemorrhage was sustained after transcatheter embolization. Thoracotomy revealed a diaphragmatic rupture. Total cross-fracture of the vertebral body solely caused the hemothorax. If bleeding source is unclear in elderly patients, this etiology should be considered. We saved both patients by performing spinal fusion surgery at the appropriate time.