[Non-trauma-induced hemothorax--a certain leading symptom of a malignant tumor?]

The haematothorax not induced by a trauma is very uncommon in childhood. Its presence may be the leading symptom of a malignant tumour that needs further investigation, but a correct diagnosis cannot always be made before thoracotomy. We report on 3 cases which had been operated on for suspected malignant disease, but in 1 case we found a diaphragmatic hernia, in another one an extralobal sequestration of the lung and only in the third patient a malignant teratoma. The diagnostic and therapeutic procedure of a spontaneous haemothorax is discussed.