Rare pulmonary barotrauma after explosive decompression: a case report

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Michal Hájek¹  Petr Došel²  Pavel Požár²  Petr Chmátal²  Jakub Tlapák³  Boris Oniščenko⁴ 

[1] Center of Hyperbaric Medicine, Ostrava City Hospital, Ostrava, Czech Republic;Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic;The Institute of Aviation Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic;The Institute of Aviation Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic;Department of Military Surgery, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;The Institute of Aviation Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic;Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic;

关键词: Case report;    Pneumothorax;    Explosive decompression;    Pulmonary barotrauma;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12890-020-01321-5

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPneumothorax as a consequence of pulmonary barotrauma during explosive decompression military crew training in a hypobaric chamber is an extremely rare and sparsely diagnosed complication. Extensive bilateral tissue damage is even more unexpected.Case presentationA 26-year-old active duty Air Force pilot was performing an explosive decompression simulation from 8000 ft. (2438.4 m) to 25,000 ft. (7620 m) in a 1.5 s interval. The training was interrupted due to the pilot’s apparent health complications. After transfer to the emergency department, a CT scan showed bilateral lung barotrauma with emphysema.ConclusionsThe case report shows extensive emphysema and pneumothorax after a rapid decompression done for training purposes. It is a possible but rare complication. The cause remains unclear, with suspicion of a predisposed lung disease.

【 授权许可】

CC BY