16th February 2024

A 36-year-old man was brought to hospital after a gunshot injury to the chest.

A 36-year-old man was brought to hospital after a gunshot injury to the chest. He was taken to theatre and had repair of a large lung laceration and repair of brachiocephalic vein. 2 days post-op, the patient was found to have increased left pleural effusion. The effusion was sent to a lab and was found to contain fat. 

Which structure has likely been damaged to be the cause of this pleural effusion?