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Active Intercostal Artery Bleed with Hemothorax

Active Intercostal Artery Bleed with Hemothorax▶ Watch on YouTube — age-restricted, cannot embed here

Imaging findings

A trauma patient presents with a large hemothorax, characterized by high-attenuation acute blood clot in the pleural space. A distinct, linear enhancing structure is identified, representing an actively bleeding intercostal artery, likely associated with an underlying rib fracture.

Key takeaways

In trauma patients with hemothorax, careful evaluation of CT angiography can directly visualize actively bleeding vessels. The presence of high-attenuation blood in the pleural space signifies acute hemorrhage. Identifying the source, such as an intercostal artery, is crucial for guiding intervention.

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