International Journal of Clinical & Medical Images

Clinical Image: A 37-year-old man presented to the Emergency department with multiple injuries after he was hit by a van. He was conscious, hemodynamically and respiratory stable. CT image showed a right-sided round collection suggestive of haemato-pneumatocele (arrows), small pneumomediastinum and hemoneumothorax as well as right rib fractures (3rd through 7th) (Figure 1). Haematopneumatocele is an air/blood cavitary lesion in the lung parenchyma following blunt thoracic trauma. It is characterized by minor clinical symptoms and major radiologic signs. The formation of this lesion requires a direct violent impact which explains its frequency in young adults. Though rarely described, its frequency is certainly underestimated. Their clinical implications are minimal and have a favorable evolution with spontaneous resolution of the radiological abnormalities. No aggressive intervention is required. This patient had an uncomplicated clinical course.