BACKGROUND: Pneumomastia is air within the breast parenchyma. A number of causes have been reported for this condition. This case report describes a new cause and details of the management strategy applied, together with a review of the literature. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of acute breast swelling in a 40-year-old woman and its subsequent successful conservative management. CONCLUSION: Bronchopleural fistula after thoracotomy is a risk, and can cause pneumomastia. This is more likely to occur after redo thoracic surgery. Pneumomastia after repeat thoracotomy can be managed conservatively, even in the presence of a bronchopleural fistula.
BACKGROUND: Pneumomastia is air within the breast parenchyma. A number of causes have been reported for this condition. This case report describes a new cause and details of the management strategy applied, together with a review of the literature. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of acute breast swelling in a 40-year-old woman and its subsequent successful conservative management. CONCLUSION:Bronchopleural fistula after thoracotomy is a risk, and can cause pneumomastia. This is more likely to occur after redo thoracic surgery. Pneumomastia after repeat thoracotomy can be managed conservatively, even in the presence of a bronchopleural fistula.
Authors: Petra Pülzl; Andreas Greiner; Thomas Schoeller; Gottfried Wechselberger Journal: J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg Date: 2008-04-09 Impact factor: 2.740