A case of chronic expanding hematoma of the thorax accompanied by esophageal disturbance

Abstract

The patient was a 74-year-old female, who had a history of surgery for herniation of the diaphragm 41 years previously. A left pleural mass shadow on chest radiograph had been pointed out. She was diagnosed with chronic empyema. A few years later, severe cough and hemoptysis appeared. She presented with excertional dyspnea; moreover, she suffered from strong dyspnea at rest. Therefore, she was treated with Hot therapy. She had no swallowing difficulty at that time. A huge mass in the left cavity was growing to the right lung field and compressed the mediastinum. We performed surgery for the chronic expanding hematoma, involving pleuro-pneumonectomy and extirpation of the hematoma, measuring 24 × 15 × 15 cm and weighing 2,880 g. After the operation, shift of the mediastinum improved, Hot therapy was no longer needed, and her pulmonary function improved.