Unilateral hemothorax in a 46 year old South Indian male due to a giant arteriovenous hemodialysis fistula: a case report
2008

Unilateral Hemothorax Due to a Giant Arteriovenous Fistula

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Salim Shihas, Ganeshram Prasanthi, Patel Amish Dilip, Kumar Anita A, Vemuri Divya, Jeyachandran Vijay, Rajamanickam Deepan, Shantha Ghanshyam Palamaner Subash

Primary Institution: Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India

Hypothesis

Can a giant arteriovenous fistula cause unilateral hemothorax in a hemodialysis patient?

Conclusion

Ligation of the giant arteriovenous fistula resulted in complete resolution of the hemothorax.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient had a giant AV fistula and presented with progressive breathlessness.
  • Radiological imaging revealed a left-sided pleural effusion.
  • Ultrasound guided aspiration revealed hemorrhagic pleural fluid.
  • Doppler study showed high velocity blood flow through the fistula.
  • Ligation of the fistula resulted in complete resolution of the hemothorax.
  • Follow-up showed no recurrence of pleural effusion after 6 weeks.

Takeaway

A patient with a large blood vessel for dialysis developed bleeding in his chest, but after doctors fixed the blood vessel, he got better.

Methodology

The case involved a patient with a giant AV fistula who underwent imaging and aspiration to diagnose and treat a hemothorax.

Limitations

The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

46-year-old male, end-stage renal disease patient, non-smoker, non-alcoholic, married with two sons.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1757-1626-1-225

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