Post traumatic bronchopleural fistula: a complication of long-standing extrapleural oleothorax

Fatty infiltration of osseous structures: a long-term complication of oleothorax--case report

Thoracic imaging of a patient treated for pulmonary tuberculosis with oleothorax therapy before the antibiotic era demonstrated a rare complication. Gross invasion by lipid with subsequent pathologic fracture of the adjacent thoracic vertebra may give rise to symptomatic spinal cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful modality for help in diagnosing treatment complications of oleothorax.

Computed tomography of oleothorax

Oleothorax as therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis was discontinued some 35 years ago. An oleothorax may expand and cause respiratory distress. Additional complications include bronchopleural fistula and cutaneous fistula. Computed tomography has not previously been used to evaluate oleothorax. This case report describes the use of computed tomography in a patient with a symptomatic oleothorax.