Iatrogenic Haemothorax: A Life-Threatening Complication Following A 12Fg Seldinger Intercostal Drain Insertion for Pneumothorax.

A man in his 30s with no previous medical history presented to the emergency department with acute dyspnoea. His chest X-ray (CXR) showed a massive left-sided pneumothorax, and a 12Fg post-intercostal drain (ICD) was inserted. Twenty-four hours later there was evidence of blood in the drain, and he had a significant haemoglobin drop of 44 g/l in only one day. His vital signs were stable. A CXR and an urgent computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large haemothorax therefore he was transferred to the tertiary thoracic centre, where he was taken to theatre and had a thoracoscopy and evacuation of a blood clot. Follow-up two weeks later showed complete resolution of the haemopneumothorax. This case report highlights the rare complication of a massive iatrogenic haemothorax. This was despite all the safety precautions including normal coagulation and platelet count, the patient not being on any anti-coagulant drugs and an ICD approach via the triangle of safety for insertion of the small-bore tube. In the case of iatrogenic haemothorax, urgent resuscitation and surgical treatment are needed as this is a life-threatening situation.

Learning points: Iatrogenic haemothorax post-intercostal drain (ICD) insertion has not been reported in recent literature since the new British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines advised ultrasound-assisted procedure for pleural effusions, and a 'triangle of safety' for pneumothorax patients. Nevertheless, it should be included in the differential diagnoses as it still could happen.If it is a massive haemothorax, cardiothoracic surgeons must be notified immediately.Point-of-care ultrasound can be used to diagnose pleural fluid while awaiting a chest X-ray. However, point-of-care ultrasound will not be able to differentiate between blood and normal pleural fluid, whereby a formal chest CT can.