case_images: PMC6206516_01
case_images: Large Left-Sided pleural effusion with tracheal deviation to the contralateral side. Also sternal wires from previous open-heart surgery are noted.
case_images: CRIPU2018-8735036.001.jpg
case_images: PMC6206516_01_CRIPU2018-8735036.001.jpg
case_images: fig1
case_images: Chest radiograph (CXR) showed opacification of two-thirds of the left hemithorax with tracheal deviation to the contralateral side consistent with pleural effusion (Figure 1).
case_images: Pleural fluid sample. Of note, the whole amount of the drained fluid (1 liter) had the same color and consistency and did not clear by the end of drainage.
case_images: CRIPU2018-8735036.002.jpg
case_images: PMC6206516_01_CRIPU2018-8735036.002.jpg
case_images: fig2
case_images: One liter of bloody fluid was drained and sent for testing (Figure 2).
case_images: Chest CT with IV contrast after drainage of one liter. No vascular malformations, active bleeding, or other sources of hemothorax were identified. Left-sided pleural effusion was noted to have different Hounsfield unit when compared to the aorta and pulmonary artery.
case_images: CRIPU2018-8735036.003.jpg
case_images: PMC6206516_01_CRIPU2018-8735036.003.jpg
case_images: fig3
case_images: A chest computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast was done to rule out active bleeding, vascular malformations, and other causes of spontaneous hemothorax (Figure 3).
case_images: Near-total resolution of left-sided pleural effusion. Left-sided Pigtail (12-Fr) catheter and sternal wires are noted as well.
case_images: CRIPU2018-8735036.004.jpg
case_images: PMC6206516_01_CRIPU2018-8735036.004.jpg
case_images: fig4
case_images: CXR after drainage showed near-total resolution of the pleural effusion (Figure 4).