Buffalo chest in a not so high fall: a case report

Abstract

Bufallo chest refers to an anatomical variation characterized by an ongoing connection between the two pleural spaces, a unique feature found in these animals, since they possess a single pleural space due to an incomplete mediastinum. When this condition is found in humans, a unilateral chest trauma can cause bilateral pneumothorax. We reported a case of a 91 year old male who, after a fall resulting in right ribs fractures, presented at the emergency department with an extensive bilateral pneumothorax. We described clinical and imagiological features and our approach. This case demonstrates an unusual presentation of a rare anatomical anomaly.