Hydropneumothorax is defined as the presence of both air and fluid within the
pleural space
The pleural cavity, pleural space, or interpleural space is the potential space between the pleurae of the pleural sac that surrounds each lung. A small amount of serous pleural fluid is maintained in the pleural cavity to enable lubrication bet ...
.
An upright chest
x-ray
An X-ray, or, much less commonly, X-radiation, is a penetrating form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. Most X-rays have a wavelength ranging from 10 picometers to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30&nb ...
will show air fluid levels. The horizontal fluid level is usually well defined and extends across the whole length of one of the hemi
thorax
The thorax or chest is a part of the anatomy of humans, mammals, and other tetrapod animals located between the neck and the abdomen. In insects, crustaceans, and the extinct trilobites, the thorax is one of the three main divisions of the cre ...
.
Signs and symptoms
This can be remembered by the 4 'S':
straight line dullness,
shifting dullness,
splash,
sound of coin.
Causes
*
Iatrogenic
Iatrogenesis is the causation of a disease, a harmful complication, or other ill effect by any medical activity, including diagnosis, intervention, error, or negligence. "Iatrogenic", ''Merriam-Webster.com'', Merriam-Webster, Inc., accessed 2 ...
: Introduction of air during
pleural fluid
The pleural cavity, pleural space, or interpleural space is the potential space between the pleurae of the pleural sac that surrounds each lung. A small amount of serous pleural fluid is maintained in the pleural cavity to enable lubrication be ...
aspiration in effusion
* Presence of a gas-forming organism
* Thoracic trauma
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be via
CXR.
CT is better to outline borders of air fluid levels, however, CT has a greater radiation exposure.
Treatment
Treatment includes ICD (
intercostal drainage) of fluid and air and treatment of underlying conditions.
References
External links
Diseases of pleura
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