Korean J Anesthesiol.  1998 Mar;34(3):660-664. 10.4097/kjae.1998.34.3.660.

Delayed Tension Pneumothorax Complicating Subclavian Vein Catheterization and Positive Pressure Ventilation: A case report

• Choi YS
• Lim OH
• Yang MK
• Chung IS
• Kim YH

• KMID: 2032435
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1998.34.3.660

Abstract

Pneumothorax is the most common complication after central venous catheterization and routinely assessed by a chest X-ray within 4 hours after catheter placement. The diagnosis of pneumothorax may be delayed for hours or days because of minimal clinical symptoms or radiologic signs on initial evaluation. Pneumothorax may progress to tension pneumothorax after positive-pressure ventilation with a potentially fetal outcome. We report a case in which a patient developed a tension pneumothorax while positive-pressure ventilation for general anesthesia 1 day after subclavian vein catheterization, although initial post-insertion chest X-ray was normal.

Keyword

Complications, pulmonary: delayed tension pneumothorax; Equipment: catheters, central venous; subclavian vein; Ventilation: positive airway

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General
Catheterization*
Catheterization, Central Venous
Catheters*
Central Venous Catheters
Diagnosis
Humans
Pneumothorax*
Positive-Pressure Respiration*
Subclavian Vein*
Thorax