Tension gastrothorax: a rare complication

Abstract

Tension gastrothorax is herniation of abdominal viscera, stomach in particular, into the thorax that can simulate acute tension pneumothorax. This case reports an acute condition in which percutaneous needle decompression of the distended stomach, through the chest wall, allowed rapid decompression of the tension gastrothorax. After thoracotomy and repair of the ruptured diaphragm, the patient developed re-expansion pulmonary edema that was managed by differential lung ventilation.