Two extremely rare cases of extrapleural hematoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND Extrapleural hematoma is uncommon. However, according to the size of hematoma and/or the progression of anemia, surgical treatment to control bleeding might be necessary because a huge hematoma can cause ventilator and circulatory disturbances to press heart and lung. We present two unusual cases of huge extrapleural hematoma in an anticoagulated patient with no apparent history of trauma or otherwise traumatic episodes. CASE PRESENTATION Case 1: A 78-year-old man presented to our emergency department with pain in his right shoulder and disturbance of consciousness. He had no apparent history of trauma. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed the presence of a huge lens-like encapsulated lesion measuring 220 × 90 mm in the right thoracic cavity. These findings all supported a diagnosis of extrapleural hematoma with hemothorax. Case 2: A 73-year-old man was brought to our hospital by ambulance after bruising his back in his house. CT of the chest revealed the presence of a huge lens-like encapsulated lesion measuring 230 × 70 mm in the left thoracic cavity. Hemorrhagic effusion was obtained by thoracocentesis, and the lesion was suspected of being a hematoma. In both two cases, we performed video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), which was minimally invasive and effective. These two patients were cured and discharged smoothly after surgery. CONCLUSIONS We reported two rare cases of extrapleural hematoma. This disease requires close attention when it manifests in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy. Regarding treatment, VATS was particularly effective in these cases.