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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
Published on: September 6, 2024
Gastrothorax mimicking acute tension pneumothorax
S N Ingelbrecht1, P A M Kint, H N A Belderbos
1AMPHIA Ziekenhuis-locatie Molengracht, Postbus 90158, 4800 RK Breda, Nederland. Stephanieingelbrecht@hotmail.com
Abstract:
We describe a case of respiratory failure due to an acute tension gastrothorax in an elderly patient, secondary to an episode of vomiting. Initially the scout view was interpreted as a tension pneumothorax. Eventually the computed tomography (CT) of the thorax revealed a transdiaphragmatical herniation of the stomach and other visceral organs. An endoscopic desufflation procedure was performed, leading to improvement of the vital signs. Consequently, surgical repair was performed. It is important to be aware of specific radiologic signs, suggesting that the intrathoracic air collection is not caused by a pneumothorax. The initial treatment of a tension gastrothorax is nasogastric or orogastric decompression.
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