Q; What is 'Buffalo chest’?


Answer: An interpleural communication results in a single pleural space within a chest (or communicating pneumothoraces on both sides of chest) is called "Buffalo chest'.

Background: Each lung is enveloped in a pleural sac. The pleural sac consists of two serous membranes: the parietal pleura, which lines the thoracic wall, mediastinum and diaphragm; and the visceral pleura, which invests the lung. A potential space called the pleural cavity exists between the parietal and visceral pleura. A pneumothorax occurs when air fills this cavity. The two pleural sacs are separate structures therefore, a pneumothorax is unilateral, unless a communication exists between each pleural cavity.

A communication between each hemithorax can be congenital, iatrogenic or traumatic. It has been reported after procedures involving median sternotomy, laparoscopic surgery and heart and lung transplants. In surgical cases, the communication results from the disruption of the anterior pleural reflections.

An interpleural communication results in a single pleural space. This is termed ‘Buffalo chest’ because North American buffalo, or bison, lack an anatomical separation between the two hemithoraces. This facilitated death by bilateral tension pneumothoraces from a hunter's single arrow to the chest.

There should be a complete resolution of the ipsilateral and contralateral pneumothoraces via the single chest drain.