Hydropneumothorax
Medical condition
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Hydropneumothorax | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A hydropneumothorax with a white arrow pointing to the lung's pleura | |
| Specialty | Emergency medicine |
Signs and symptoms
This can be remembered by the 4 'S': straight line dullness, shifting dullness, splash, sound of coin.
Causes
- Iatrogenic: Introduction of air during pleural fluid aspiration in effusion
- Presence of a gas-forming organism
- Thoracic trauma
Diagnosis
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
Treatment includes intercostal drainage (ICD) of fluid and air and treatment of underlying conditions.
