PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J H Lai
AU  - H C Yan
AU  - S J Kao
AU  - S C Lee
AU  - C Y Shen
TI  - Intercostal arteriovenous fistula due to pleural biopsy.
AID  - 10.1136/thx.45.12.976
DP  - 1990 Dec 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 976--978
VI  - 45
IP  - 12
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/45/12/976.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/45/12/976.full
SO  - Thorax1990 Dec 01; 45
AB  - A 32 year old woman had a pleural biopsy for a left pleural effusion, which showed caseating granuloma typical of tuberculosis. When the fourth biopsy specimen was removed considerable bleeding occurred from the puncture site. Four days later a bruit was audible over the punctured area, radiating to the back. Eight days after the procedure the patient had a massive bleed into the left pleural space. Selective aortic angiography showed an arteriovenous fistula between the 9th intercostal artery and vein and a pseudoaneurysm in the intercostal punctured area. Thoracotomy showed bleeding from the site of the pleural biopsy. The intercostal vessels were ligated and pleural decortication was performed, and the patient recovered uneventfully.