Massive hemothorax due to intercostal arterial bleeding after percutaneous catheter removal in a multiple-trauma patient: A case report

BACKGROUND: Intercostal arterial bleeding is unusual complication of percutaneous chest procedures. However, intercostal arterial bleeding is likely to result in critical complications such as abnormalities in vital signs, hypovolemic shock, and death due to massive bleeding. Therefore, it is very important to establish the diagnosis of intercostal arterial bleeding and to initiate treatment. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case in which a 59-year-old woman who was hospitalized at intensive care unit with multiple trauma had a massive hemothorax after the removal of a percutaneous catheter. She sustained a refractory right pleural effusion due to biloma caused by a traumatic injury to the liver, despite persistent intraperitoneal drainage. As a result, atelectasis persisted in the dependent portion of the right lung. Therefore, we performed right percutaneous catheter drainage (8.5-F pigtail catheter) for pleural effusion drainage at the 7(th) intercostal space. After percutaneous catheter removal, portable chest radiography and vital signs of the patient assisted in establishing a diagnosis of intercostal arterial bleeding. Intercostal arterial bleeding was also confirmed using transarterial angiography; and embolization was performed. The patient’s condition progressively improved, and no further intervention was required. CONCLUSION: Massive hemothorax is a rare complication of percutaneous catheter removal. Clinicians should carefully examine and diagnose patients to improve prognosis. And interventional selective angiography may be a feasible and minimally invasive treatment for intercostal arterial bleeding control.