Hydropneumothorax
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| Hydropneumothorax | |
|---|---|
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| 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 for outlining borders of air-fluid levels, however, CT has a greater radiation exposure.
Ultrasound imaging has also proven to be a useful tool for hydropneumothorax diagnoses by looking for the absence of the characteristic "curtain sign" usually seen in ultrasound images at the base of healthy lungs.[2]
Treatment
[edit]Treatment includes intercostal drainage (ICD) 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.
- ^ Targhetta, Rémi; Bourgeois, Jean-Marie; Chavagneux, Roseline; Marty-Double, Christiane; Balmes, Pierre (1992-04-01). "Ultrasonographic Approach to Diagnosing Hydropneumothorax". Chest. 101 (4): 931–934. doi:10.1378/chest.101.4.931. ISSN 0012-3692.
External links
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