Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts (TPP) are rare complications of blunt chest trauma. The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of this rare entity with imaging and clinical parameters for preventing complications and determining the correct treatment approach by observing 15 cases.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical data and thoracic computed tomography scans of 185 patients who underwent examinations in our department after chest trauma between July 2014 and December 2015.

RESULTS: Fifteen patients had TPPs, and their clinical features and imaging findings were evaluated. Their average age was 26.33 (range, 1-89) years. The cause of TPP was traffic accident in 13 patients and falling from a height in two. Tube thoracostomy was required in five patients. None of the patients required thoracotomy, and 66% of them recovered without any complications. Five patients died because of serious concomitant injuries.

CONCLUSION: Sudden shearing force across the pulmonary parenchyma results in an area of pulmonary contusion and airtransfer from the airway to the contused area, which in turn leads to pneumatocele formation. Conservative treatment is recommended for these patients, but complications can occur because of cyst rupture. Patients should be closely monitored and be made aware of the risk of life-threatening complications.