Hemothorax due to inferior phrenic artery injury from blunt trauma: a case series and systematic review

Abstract

Hemothorax is a common complication of thoracic trauma, often associated with morbidity and mortality. While intercostal and internal mammary arteries are commonly involved, the inferior phrenic artery (IPA) is rarely the source of hemothorax following blunt trauma. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of IPA-related hemothorax by describing a single-center case series and to outline the characteristics and management of hemothorax secondary to IPA injury with a systematic review. We conducted a chart review of patients with trauma to identify patients with hemothorax due to IPA injury at a Japanese tertiary care hospital between 2013 and 2019. We performed a systematic review of published studies about this condition by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and ICHUSHI from their inception to January 18, 2025, summarizing their clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis. Among 231 patients with hemothorax following blunt trauma, 3 (1.3%) were caused by IPA injury. The systematic review identified published articles for 16 additional reports, yielding 19 reports for analysis. IPA injury was typically diagnosed after 1 day to 3 weeks post-injury, with 94% of patients presenting with shock. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was the primary treatment, although many patients required additional interventions such as thoracotomy and hematoma evacuation. Complications included pneumonia, and the mortality rate was 11%. Hemothorax due to IPA injury following blunt trauma may be rare and potentially life-threatening. While endovascular techniques such as TAE were effective in many cases, repeated bleeding and substantial hematoma necessitated repeat interventions or surgical procedures. Despite an overall favorable prognosis, significant risks for complications and mortality remained. Thus, early recognition and increased awareness of IPA injury in patients with trauma are essential for improving outcomes.