Chronic expanding hematoma in the chest

Intern Med. 2008;47(15):1411-4. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.47.0724. Epub 2008 Aug 1.

Abstract

Chronic expanding hematoma in the chest is identified as a specific type of chronic empyema. We encountered a case of chest chronic expanding hematoma presenting as a huge mass, which compressed the heart, trachea and esophagus. The disease was recognized as a cause of aspiration pneumonia and was successfully treated by surgical resection. Computed tomography revealed a large area of calcifications at the periphery of the mass. Magnetic resonance T2-weighted imaging indicated the mosaic patterns of various signal intensities as specific features of chronic expanding hematoma. Imaging diagnosis showed good correlation with pathology of the disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Hematoma / complications
  • Hematoma / diagnosis*
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumonia, Aspiration / etiology
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Injuries / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed