Incidence and Predictive Factors of Massive Hemothorax Due to Thoracic Vertebral Fractures

Massive hemothorax due to thoracic vertebral fractures (MHTVF) is a potentially lethal condition; however, its epidemiological and clinical data have been rarely described. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence, predictive factors, and clinical features of MHTVF.

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 202 consecutive patients (136 male and 66 female patients) with thoracic vertebral fractures treated at our institute between January 2009 and December 2019. Their mean age was 60.7 (range, 17-90) years. Unstable fractures accounted for 57.4% (n=116) of the total fractures. The patients were then divided into MHTVF and non-MHTVF groups. We assessed the following MHTVF-associated factors: sex, age, history of medical conditions, anticoagulation/antiplatelet drug use, injury severity score, anatomical distribution of levels of the vertebral fractures, fracture type, and presence or absence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) fracture.

In total, eight patients (six men and two women) with a mean age of 68.9 years (range, 22-85 years) were determined to exhibit MHTVF. The incidence of MHTVF in patients with unstable thoracic spinal fractures was 6.9%, whereas none of those with stable spinal fractures exhibited MHTVF. Factors like type B (p=0.049) and DISH (p=0.017) fractures were noted to be significantly associated with the MHTVF. Three patients experienced shock upon arrival, whereas two exhibited delayed shock. Chest tube insertion and/or emergency thoracotomy was performed. The survival rate was 100.0%.

MHTVF is not rare. Because type B and DISH fractures are identified as predictive factors of MHTVF, it must be carefully treated to avoid preventable death even after hospitalization in patients with these thoracic fractures.