First case of cough-induced combined intercostal artery rupture with partial diaphragm tear

Abstract

We describe a case of vigorous cough-induced left intercostal artery rupture with partial diaphragmatic tear in a 60-year-old obese male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He presented with left hemothorax, a rapidly spreading chest and abdominal wall hematoma, and progression of anemia. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a bleeding focus from the left 8th intercostal artery. CT-guided surface marking of the bleeding point was done over the chest wall. The patient underwent open thoracotomy with drainage of clotted hemothorax and ligation of bleeding intercostal artery. Incidentally, a partial diaphragm tear was detected during the surgery which was repaired. The combined presentation of cough-induced intercostal artery rupture with partial diaphragm tear is not reported earlier. Awareness of these co-existing pathologies can facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate life-saving management.