Radiology Case Reports (Jan 2023)

Rib spur causing a hemothorax, pneumothorax, and diaphragmatic injury in a pediatric patient

  • Vinh Dao, BS,
  • Imane Chedid, MD,
  • Peter Shahid, MD,
  • Jason Sulkowski, MD,
  • Sarah Williams, MD,
  • Christopher Woleben, MD,
  • Frank Petruzella, MD,
  • Eman Mahdi, MD,
  • Jacqueline Urbine, MD,
  • Gregory Vorona, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 1
pp. 295 – 299

Abstract

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Pleural effusion is a relatively common condition encountered in the pediatric emergency department. Evaluation of pleural effusion in the emergency department typically includes advanced imaging such as computer tomography or ultrasound, as well as diagnostic thoracocentesis. We report a case of a 10-year-old female with a rib spur at the anterolateral left sixth rib that caused a hemothorax, pneumothorax, and diaphragmatic injury. The patient underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and resection of the rib spur. The procedure was well-tolerated without any complications.

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