Hemothorax
| Hemothorax | |
| ICD-10 | J94.2, S27.1 |
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| ICD-9 | 511.8, 860 |
| DiseasesDB | 19762 |
| MeSH | D006491 |
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Hemothorax Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Hemothorax On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hemothorax |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Hematothorax; haemothorax;
Signs and symptoms
- Tachypnea.
- Dyspnea.
- Cyanosis.
- Decreased or absent breath sounds on affected side.
- Tracheal deviation.
- Dull resonance on percussion.
- Unequal chest rise.
- Tachycardia.
- Hypotension.
- Pale, cool, clammy skin.
- Possibly subcutaneous air.
- Narrowing pulse pressure.
Management
A hemothorax is managed by removing the source of bleeding and by draining the blood already in the thoracic cavity. Blood in the cavity can be removed by inserting a drain (chest tube) in a procedure called a tube thoracostomy. Patients should recover swiftly after this. However, if the cause is rupture of the aorta in high energy trauma, the intervention by a thoracic surgeon is mandatory.
Related Chapters
Template:Respiratory pathology Template:Injuries, other than fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains