Intrathoracic stomach presenting as acute tension gastrothorax

Total intrathoracic stomach creating pulmonary and hemodynamic com promise is a rare life-threatening complication in patients with hiatal hernia, The presentation and clinical course of this condition are discussed. Physicia ns should consider this entity in patients presenting with apparent tension pneumothorax without history or other evidence of trauma or positive press ure ventilation who do not respond to standard interventions. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.