Abstract
Introduction
The most common complication after thoracentesis is pneumothorax. Hemothorax, pleural infection, organ injuries, vasovagal reaction and soft tissue infection may also be considered as other complications [2]. Also, after therapeutic thoracentesis, additional reexpansion pulmonary edema and hypovolemia may occur [3]. Because of the low risk of pneumothorax after thoracentesis, it is not possible to come to a definite conclusion regarding the clinical benefits of the routine chest X-ray scans following thoracentesis [4].
In this case report we presented a patient with squamous cell lung carcinoma where bilateral pneumothorax developed after thoracentesis.
Case Presentation
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Figure 1: Chest X-ray shows right sinus blunting |
On computed tomography of the patient, 43 x 41 mm mass and pleural effusion are present in the right lower lobe of the lung (Figure 2).
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Figure 2: CT showing mass and pleural effusion |
In the patient"s positron emission tomography, 4 x 3 cm mass in the right lower lobe (SUVmax 4.8) and 3 cm pleural effusion (no involvement) was detected (Figure 3).
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Figure 3: PET/CT showing right lower lobe (SUVmax 4.8) |
Squamous cell lung cancer has been reported as a result of bronchoscopic biopsy. USG guided thoracentesis was performed for staging on right hemothorax and 4 cc pleural fluid was taken and sampled without any complications.
The chest x-ray which was taken due to the patient"s complaint of shortness of breath, which started about 10 minutes after the procedure, demonstrated a partial basal pneumothorax on the right and subtotal pneumothorax on the left side (Figure 4).
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Figure 4: Chest X-ray swowing bilateral pneumothorax |
Bilateral tube thoracostomy was performed and the patient rapidly returned to normal. Thereafter, right and left tube thoracostomy were terminated, respectively.
Discussion
Aleman et al. reported that in 370 case studies, pneumothorax rate was 4% and asymptomatic pneumothorax rate was about 1% in all patients who underwent PA chest X-ray after thoracentesis [3]. In a similar study involving 199 cases reported by Peterson et al., 251 invasive operations were performed and the risk of pneumothorax was 6.5%, as there was no risk, incidental pneumothorax was detected in 3 (2.3%) patients who had not undergone chest X-ray [4]. In 134 invasive operations, Gerardi et al. reported a total pneumothorax risk as 7.5% [7]. Furthermore, Peterson et al. noted that USG-associated thoracentesis is a risk factor for pleural biopsy.
USG should be used in patients suspected to be on high risk of pneumothorax after thoracentesis [4]. In 2016, John et al. investigated in which hospitals the iatrogenic pneumothorax cases were seen more frequently. According to the results obtained from this study, iatrogenic pneumothorax cases in education hospitals are higher than non-education hospitals. In addition, iatrogenic pneumothorax cases are more frequent in hospitals where thoracentesis is frequently performed. Therefore, chest x-rays should routinely be requested in these two hospitals where iatrogenic pneumothorax cases are common [8]. In the literature chest X-ray is not generally recommended routinely after thoracentesis however in our clinic, although the rate of complications that may develop after thoracentesis is low, chest X-ray is requested as a routine procedure. We strongly recommend radiologic control not to miss such a very rare complication; contralateral pneumothorax.
Declaration of conflicting interests
The author declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The author received no financial support.