Huge expanding extrapleural haematoma in a coronary artery disease patient: conservative or surgical treatment?

Corresponding Author: Nikolaos G. Baikoussis, MD; e-mail: [email protected] initial computed tomography (CT) are representative of thoracic trauma. Chest x-ray (Figure 1a) revealed a well circumscribed opacity in the left haemithorax recommending the contrast mediated thorax computed tomography (CT). The CT immediately performed shown left rib fractures and a D-shaped opacity in the left side of the thorax suggesting extrapleural hematoma, which was caused by continuous bleeding of an intercostal artery (Figure 1b). The initial conservative treatment (transfusion, anticoagulation reverse and cardiopulmonary support) was followed because of anticoagulation therapy and the presence of comorbidities; high risk for a routine tho2011; 15: 978-979