Hydropneumothorax
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
| Hydropneumothorax | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A hydropneumothorax with a white arrow pointing to the lung's pleura | |
| Specialty | Emergency medicine |
Hydropneumothorax is defined as the presence of both air and fluid within the pleural space.[1] An upright chest x-ray will show air fluid levels. The horizontal fluid level is usually well defined and extends across the whole length of one of the hemithorax.
Signs and symptoms
[edit]This can be remembered by the 4 'S': straight line dullness, shifting dullness, splash, sound of coin.
Causes
[edit]- Iatrogenic: Introduction of air during pleural fluid aspiration in effusion
- Presence of a gas-forming organism
- Thoracic trauma
Diagnosis
[edit]Diagnosis can be via CXR. CT is better to outline borders of air fluid levels, however, CT has a greater radiation exposure.
Treatment
[edit]Treatment includes ICD (intercostal drainage) of fluid and air and treatment of underlying conditions.
References
[edit]- ^ Clarke, Christopher; Dux, Anthony (2017). Chest X-rays for Medical Students. John Wiley & Sons. p. 82. ISBN 9781119426721. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
External links
[edit]
 | This respiratory system article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |