Treatment of thoracic hemorrhage due to rupture of traumatic mediastinal hematoma

Abstract

Patients in traffic accidents are usually presented with pain and bleeding due to fractures or soft tissue injury. On some occasions, more severe complications may be triggered by the trauma. A review of the published English language literature reveals no survival case once the traumatic mediastinal hematoma is ruptured. In our case, a 54-year-old man suffering motorcycle accident was admitted to emergency department. Computed tomography scan revealed subdural hematoma combined with posterior mediastinal hematoma. The patient was saved and discharged with a satisfactory outcome. Here we hope to share our treatment experience in dealing with the patient with severe multiple trauma.

Fig. 1

Craniocerebral CT scan indicated subdural hematoma (A). Chest CT scan indicated posterior mediastinal hematoma and pleural effusion in the right thoracic cavity (B).

Fig. 2

Craniocerebral CT scan indicated subdural hematoma disappeared at postoperative 1 day (A). Chest CT scan performed at postoperative 1 day indicated mediastinal hematoma disappeared (B).