Massive Hemothorax in A Pregnant Patient With Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Abstract Background: Spontaneous hemothorax in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 is a less common though lethal complication, and there is no report which occurred in the pregnant period. We here present the first case of hemothorax in a neurofibromatosis type 1 patient during pregnancy and discus on the difficulty in diagnosis and treatment choice.Case Presentation: A 39-year-old female at 34 weeks gestation presented with sudden left back pain and dyspnea. Chest radiography revealed massive left pleural effusion. Although the patient was hemodynamically stable, the fetus was in a critical condition. Emergency cesarean section and endovascular coil embolization of the aneurysm of the intercostal artery were performed successfully. The patient’s condition improved immediately, and she was discharged 1 month later. Conclusions: A neurofibromatosis type 1 patients have the potential to develop massive hemothorax without gross lesions, especially late in pregnancy and postpartum.