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 | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Pulmonology, 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 hemithorax.
Signs
This can be remembered by 4 'S'
- Straight line dullness
- Shifting dullness
- splash
- Sound of coin
- fullness of chest
Causes
- Iatrogenic: Introduction of air during pleural fluid aspiration in effusion
- Presence of a gas-forming organism
- Thoracic trauma
Diagnosis
Diagnosed via CXR, CT is better to outline borders of air fluid levels. However, CT has a greater radiation exposure.
Treatment
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (November 2017) |
References
- ^ Clarke, Christopher; Dux, Anthony (2017). Chest X-rays for Medical Students. John Wiley & Sons. p. 82. ISBN 9781119426721. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
 | This respiratory system article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |