Spontaneous Intercostal Artery Bleeding in a Patient With Buerger's Disease: A Case Report

TL;DR

A patient with Buerger's disease experienced rare spontaneous bleeding from an intercostal artery after a lower limb procedure, requiring emergency treatment.

Contribution

This case report highlights the rare occurrence of spontaneous intercostal artery bleeding in a patient with Buerger's disease.

Findings

Spontaneous intercostal artery bleeding occurred in a patient with Buerger's disease following lower limb angioplasty.

The bleeding resulted in a large hemothorax and retropleural hematoma requiring massive transfusion and surgical intervention.

Abstract

Intercostal artery (ICA) injury and bleeding are well-known complications of thoracic procedures and trauma; however, spontaneous ICA bleeding is a rare condition usually associated with specific underlying disorders that typically lead to the weakening of vasculature. Herein, we present a 42-year-old male with a history of Buerger's disease who developed spontaneous bleeding of the second left ICA after undergoing lower limb angioplasty. The bleeding was complicated by a large hemothorax and retropleural hematoma, resulting in hemorrhagic shock that necessitated massive transfusion, embolization, and eventual thoracotomy with evacuation.

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