Pulmonary contusion with hemoptysis from lacrosse ball strike: A case report

Lacrosse, a sport of increasing popularity, is played with netted sticks and a firm rubber ball propelled at speeds frequently reaching over 100 miles/hour. While lacrosse injuries have been previously described, little published literature exists on lacrosse balls causing pulmonary contusion. We present a case of a 17-year-old male lacrosse player athlete who suffered a lacrosse ball strike to the left posterolateral chest, leading to a clinical presentation of local bruising, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis. Despite delayed arrival to the emergency room, where imaging revealed pulmonary contusion, multidisciplinary supportive management led to favorable clinical outcome with no residual effect on athletic ability and quality of life. Although pulmonary contusion may be a rare injury in the setting of thoracic trauma from lacrosse ball strikes, prompt evaluation and a high index of suspicion can rule out more life-threatening processes and ensure an excellent clinical prognosis.