1. Delayed gastropleural fistula: a rare cause of a persistent pleural effusion after blunt force trauma
- Author
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James O’Driscoll, Nitin Aucharaz, Hugo Temperley, Shona Tormey, Narayanasamy Ravi, Kin Yik Chan, and Shane Keogh
- Subjects
Sleeve gastrectomy ,medicine.medical_specialty ,AcademicSubjects/MED00910 ,Pleural effusion ,business.industry ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Fistula ,Splenectomy ,Case Report ,Pleural cavity ,medicine.disease ,Surgery ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Blunt ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Effusion ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,medicine ,030211 gastroenterology & hepatology ,jscrep/0160 ,business ,Hemopneumothorax - Abstract
A gastropleural fistula (GPF) is a rare pathological connection between the stomach and pleural cavity. Diagnosis and treatment are frequently delayed due to the lack of specific clinical, laboratory and radiological findings. We describe a case of a 53-year-old gentleman who presented to our institution with respiratory sepsis and a massive haemopneumothorax on imaging. Uniquely, he was discharged a week prior after a splenectomy for a traumatic fall. Gut flora in the pleural fluid and a subsequent positive dye test suggested an aero-digestive connection. Repeat imaging revealed a fistula between stomach and the left pleural cavity through a ruptured diaphragm. He underwent an open sleeve gastrectomy and primary repair of the diaphragm. This is the first GPF in literature presenting in such a fashion. Although rare, a persistent effusion with a history of blunt thoracoabdominal trauma may herald a GPF, which, if not diagnosed promptly, may result in significant morbidity.
- Published
- 2021
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