Hydropneumothorax

Hydropneumothorax
A hydropneumothorax with white arrow point to the lung's pleura
Classification and external resources
Specialty pulmonology, emergency medicine
ICD-10 J94.8, S27.3
ICD-9-CM 511.8
MeSH D006872

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.

References

  1. ↑ Clarke, Christopher; Dux, Anthony (2017). Chest X-rays for Medical Students. John Wiley & Sons. p. 82. ISBN 9781119426721. Retrieved 6 November 2017.


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