Chronic expanding hematoma following pneumonectomy managed with a thoracic balloon: a case report

A 64-year-old male was treated for a chronic expanding hematoma three years after pneumonectomy for left lung cancer (p T2N2M0, Stage IIIA). Two years prior to admission a left pleural effusion shadow was detected on a follow-up chest X ray, and since then there had been a progressive mediastinum shift to the right. The suspected diagnosis on referral was recurrent lung cancer or giant intrathoracic hematoma. Chest CT scans and thoracentesis led to a diagnosis of a chronic expanding hematoma developing after pneumonectomy. Surgery was performed because of the severity of symptoms and the progressive nature of the tumor. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of chronic expanding hematoma. During the operation, it was difficult to achieve hemostasis, but bleeding was effectively managed with a thoracic balloon.