# Massive hemothorax following CT-guided lung biopsy: A rare iatrogenic complication managed conservatively

## TL;DR

A rare case of massive hemothorax after a lung biopsy was successfully treated without surgery in a stable patient.

## Contribution

Demonstrates successful conservative management of a life-threatening complication following a lung biopsy.

## Key findings

- A 35-year-old woman developed a massive hemothorax after a CT-guided lung biopsy.
- Conservative management led to complete recovery without surgical intervention.
- Trauma-based principles were effective in managing the complication.

## Abstract

CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is an essential diagnostic technique for evaluating pulmonary lesions. Although rare, major complications such as hemothorax can be life-threatening. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who developed a rapidly enlarging right hemothorax several hours after CT-guided core needle biopsy of a pleura-abutting right lower lobe mass. There was no arterial extravasation, and chest tube drainage yielded approximately 1500 mL of dark, clotted blood, suggesting a venous or tumoral source. The patient remained hemodynamically stable and achieved complete recovery with conservative management. This case highlights that even massive post-biopsy hemothorax can be successfully treated non-operatively in stable patients by adhering to trauma-based management principles.