What is the pathophysiology of hemothorax?

Bleeding into the pleural space can occur with virtually any disruption of the tissues of the chest wall and pleura or the intrathoracic structures. The physiologic response to the development of a hemothorax is manifested in two major areas: hemodynamic and respiratory.

What is the pathophysiology of a pneumothorax?

Pathophysiology of Pneumothorax In pneumothorax, air enters the pleural space from outside the chest or from the lung itself via mediastinal tissue planes or direct pleural perforation. Intrapleural pressure increases, and lung volume decreases.

What is the difference between a pneumothorax and a hemothorax?

A hemothorax will have a similar presentation as a pneumothorax, with symptoms such as dyspnea, hypoxia, decreased breath sounds, and chest pain. A key clinical finding that separates these two is that a pneumothorax will have hyper-resonance to percussion, but a hemothorax will have a hypo-resonance to percussion.

What are the two types of Haemothorax?

Hemothoraces are classified in three broad categories according to the cause and in order of frequency: traumatic, iatrogenic, or nontraumatic. All three categories have the potential to affect major arteries and result in death by blood loss.

What is hemothorax?

Hemothorax is a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity).

What is the pathophysiology of flail chest?

(A) Flail chest occurs when multiple rib fractures result in a loss of stability of the chest wall. The loss of continuity with the remainder of the rib cage causes the flail segment to move paradoxically. (B) Pressure within the chest is negative during inspiration, causing the flail segment to retract.

What is the meaning of Hemothorax?

How do you identify a hemothorax?

Symptoms include:

  1. Shortness of breath.
  2. Rapid, shallow breathing.
  3. Chest pain.
  4. Low blood pressure (shock)
  5. Pale, cool and clammy skin.
  6. Rapid heart rate.
  7. Restlessness.
  8. Anxiety.

What is the most common cause of hemothorax?

The most common cause of hemothorax is chest trauma. Hemothorax can also occur in people who have: A blood clotting defect. Chest (thoracic) or heart surgery.

How is hemothorax diagnosis?

Share on Pinterest A hemothorax may be diagnosed with an X-ray or a CT scan. During a physical exam, doctors will listen for sounds of abnormal breathing through a stethoscope. Doctors may also tap on the chest to listen for sounds of liquid.