Pulmonary pseudocyst after blunt chest trauma

Abstract

A 17-year-old woman admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for high-energy trauma after being run over. On arrival the patient was stable. A computed tomography was performed, highlighting at the level of the lung parenchyma the existence of a traumatic pseudo cyst in the left lower lobe (Figure 1. Red square) together with a small sheet of pneumothorax (red arrow). Pseudo cysts are cavitated shear lesions, causing air leakage. It is a rare complication of thoracic trauma, being more common in pediatric patients and young adults. The clinic can vary from being asymptomatic to severe respiratory failure.