Traumatic herniation of the lung

Abstract

We present a relatively rare clinical presentation of herniation of lung parenchyma. In our case, the patient suffered multiple rib fractures, with an intercostal herniation of lung tissue after a trauma. We opted for a conservative treatment, given the clinical presentation, and the absence of incarceration or strangulation of the pulmonary tissue. In the absence of clear guidelines for this rare presentation, current treatment can be conservative or surgical, depending on the clinical presentation.

A patient with a pulmonary hernia and chance fracture of the thoracic vertebra following a fall: A case report and literature review

“…According to the classical Morel Lavelle method, pulmonary hernias can either be congenital (18 %) or acquired (82 %) [ 9 ]. Congenital pulmonary herniation usually presents with weakness or absence of intrathoracic fascia [ 2 ].Acquired pulmonary herniation can be caused by traumatic, spontaneous, and local pathological factors with the most common one being blunt chest trauma often associated with pneumothorax and/or hemothorax [ 10 , 11 ]. In recent years, there has been an increase in traumatic pulmonary herniation due to high-speed trauma in patients [ 6 ].…”

“…In most cases, pulmonary herniation is asymptomatic, but others on coughing may present with a soft, subcutaneous mass that can be reduced [ 14 ]. Patients may present with severe symptoms like shortness of breath, dyspnea, and even respiratory failure [ 11 ]. Other complications of pulmonary herniation like incarceration, strangulation, and hemoptysis are rare.…”

“…Surgical treatment can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of pulmonary herniation and improve the long-term prognoses of patients. The traditional viewpoint is that asymptomatic pulmonary herniations should be first treated conservatively with analgesia and cough relief using pressure pads and/or the chest bands on the chest wall [ 11 ]. With the current increase in cases, scholars are willing to approach treatment more aggressively because spontaneous healing is rare.…”