SPONTANEOUS HEMOTHORAX ASSOCIATED WITH VON RECKLINGHAUSENS DISEASE - REVIEW OF OCCURRENCE IN JAPAN

The case history is presented of a 61 year old man with von Recklingha usen's disease who developed a spontaneous haemothorax. In spite of be ing asymptomatic for five days after drainage, he died as a result of fatal sudden re-bleeding. The post mortem examination showed dissectio n and rupture of the left subclavian artery. Microscopically, disarran gement of smooth muscle and decrease of elastic fibre was observed in the ruptured artery. Haemothorax in patients with von Recklinghausen's disease may require thoracotomy, even if the condition of the patient appears to be stable.