J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2023 Feb;58(1):62-66. 10.4055/jkoa.2023.58.1.62 .

Delayed Pneumothorax after Thoracic Paravertebral Block

• Shim DM
• An KY
• Kwon KH
• Chung YW

• KMID: 2539502
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2023.58.1.62

Abstract

This paper reports a case of a patient aged 63 years who developed a delayed pneumothorax after thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB). TPVB is a non-invasive procedure that is known to be relatively safe. A 63-year-old female was admitted with back pain. TPVB T9–10 left was then performed. Two days after the procedure, she complained of dyspnea in the emergency room. X-ray showed a pneumothorax in her left side with partial left lung collapse. The pneumothorax was managed by surgical intervention, and an intercostal tube was inserted. The post-procedural X-ray showed a fully expanded lung. A chest tube was taken out after 72 hours. A delayed pneumothorax can occur after TPVB. Therefore, careful observation is required after this procedure.

Keyword

spine; lung; pneumothorax; ultrasonography