FROM DIAGNOSIS TO LIFE-SAVING INTERVENTION - PNEUMOTHORAX DETECTION USING FAST IN A RESOURCE-LIMITED EMERGENCY UNIT: A CASE REPORT

Authors

  • Haris Sulejmani Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5583-5489
  • Nikola Brzanov University Clinic for Traumatology, Orthopedic Disease, Anesthesiology, Reanimation and Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8518-5969
  • Aleksandra Gavrilovska Brzanov University Clinic for Traumatology, Orthopedic Disease, Anesthesiology, Reanimation and Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9593-2502
  • Sanja Golubić University Clinic for Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8214-5201

Keywords:

pediatric pneumothorax, eFAST, point-of-care ultrasound, trauma, resource-limited settings

Abstract

Introduction: Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening pediatric emergency that requires rapid recognition and intervention. In resource-limited environments, bedside extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (eFAST) can provide a rapid and reliable diagnosis when advanced imaging is unavailable.

Case report: We report the case of a 13-year-old boy who developed acute respiratory distress after a fall form height. Bedside eFAST revealed absence of lung sliding and a barcode sign on M-mode, consistent with pneumothorax. Immediate needle decompression was followed by tube thoracostomy, with computed tomography confirming a right-sided pneumothorax and hemothorax. The patient recovered fully and was discharged after two weeks.

Conclusion: This case underscores the value of eFAST as a rapid, accurate, and life-saving diagnostic tool in resource-limited emergency settings, where timely bedside imaging can guide intervention before advanced imaging is available.

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Published

2025-12-16

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): Acad Med J

Section

Case Reports

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Copyright (c) 2025 Haris Sulejmani, Nikola Brzanov; Aleksandra Gavrilovska Brzanov, Sanja Golubić

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