Successful CT-guided drainage of infected traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst : case report

Abstract

Infected traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst is unusual. A 68-year-old male presented to our hospital with productive cough and general fatigue after suffering a minor chest contusion. Chest X-ray and CT scan showed a left-sided pneumothorax and a pulmonary cyst with an air fluid level in the left lower lobe. The patient was febrile with an elevated serum CRP and a diagnosis of an infected traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst was made. Despite antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition did not improve. CT guided thoracentesis performed under local anesthesia produced purulent drainage which grew pseudomonas. Following drainage the patient recovered promptly. The drainage tube was removed 37 days after drainage. CT scan performed 3 months after injury showed resolving cyst on his left lower lobe. We conclude that non-invasive CT guided drainage is an effective method to treat an infected traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst.