A Rare Case Report of Haemopneumothorax Complicatedby Chryseobacterium indologenes Infection

We report a case of haemopneumothorax complicated by Chryseobacterium indologenes infection in a 76-yearold male patient who sustained injuries to the left thigh and right chest. His past medical illnesses included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease (CAD), and he had a personal history of chronic smoking and alcohol consumption. The examination findings included an active lacerated wound on the left thigh and paradoxical breathing with tenderness over the right chest. Emergency wound exploration revealed a grade IV muscle tear of the vascular medialis and further evaluation revealed Type II respiratory failure, flail chest, right subcutaneous emphysema, haemopneumothorax and multiple rib fractures. Treatment involved the insertion of an intercostal drainage tube on day 3 and the administration of empirical antibiotics and other supportive medications. The isolation of C. indologenes highlights the challenge of managing infectious complications in traumatic haemopneumothorax, particularly in patients with underlying respiratory comorbidities. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to optimize outcomes in such complicated cases.