Spontaneous hemothorax in a neurofibromatosis type I patient - A case report

Spontaneous hemothorax is a rare and potentially lethal neurofibromatosis' complication. Several pathological mechanisms may explain the associated vasculopathy: a) direct vascular invasion from adjacent tumors such as Shwannoma, neurofibroma or neurofibrosarcoma; b) vascular dysplasia with stenotic or aneurysm formation (6,7,9). Other mechanisms involved may include pleuropulmonar pathologies (necrotizing infections, pulmonary embolism, endometriosis, neoplasms) and blood dyscrasias. The authors describe a case of a 33 years old female, who went to the ER Service complaining with right persistent hemithoracic pain, extending to the ipsilateral shoulder and shoulder blade, without aggravation or relieving factors, since the last 8 days.