Hemothorax Questions & Answers

Updated: Aug 16, 2022
  • Author: Mary C Mancini, MD, PhD, MMM; Chief Editor: Jeffrey C Milliken, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is hemothorax?

What is the historical evolution of hemothorax treatment?

What is the anatomy of hemothorax?

What is the anatomy of extrapleural injury in hemothorax?

What is the anatomy of intrapleural injury in hemothorax?

What is the pathophysiology of hemothorax?

What is the role of hemodynamic response in the pathophysiology of hemothorax?

What is the role of respiratory response in the pathophysiology of hemothorax?

What is the physiologic resolution of hemothorax?

What are the late physiologic sequelae of unresolved hemothorax?

What causes hemothorax?

Which disorders are associated with hemothorax?

What is the prevalence of hemothorax?

What is the prognosis of hemothorax?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of hemothorax?

Which physical findings are characteristic of hemothorax?

Which physical findings are characteristic of blunt chest-wall injuries associated with hemothorax?

Which physical findings are characteristic of blunt intrathoracic injuries associated with hemothorax?

Which physical findings are characteristic of penetrating trauma associated with hemothorax?

How should patients be positioned for the physical exam to evaluate a traumatic hemothorax?

What is the significance of a hemothorax found in a patient with a diaphragmatic injury?

Which physical findings are characteristic of nontraumatic hemothorax?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Hemothorax?

Workup

How is hemothorax diagnosed?

What is the role of lab testing in the workup of hemothorax?

What is the role of chest radiography in the workup of hemothorax?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of hemothorax?

What is the role of CT scanning in the workup of hemothorax?

Treatment

How is hemothorax treated?

What are the indications for surgical exploration of hemothorax?

How are the sequelae of hemothorax treated?

What is the role of needle aspiration in the treatment of hemothorax?

How is pain managed during the treatment of hemothorax?

What in included in emergency department (ED) care for hemothorax?

What is the role of tube thoracostomy in the treatment of hemothorax?

How is hemothorax treated in patients with coagulopathy?

What equipment is needed to perform a tube thoracostomy for the treatment of hemothorax?

How is tube thoracostomy performed for the treatment of hemothorax?

What is included in postoperative care following tube thoracostomy for the treatment for hemothorax?

What is the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of hemothorax?

What is the role of thoracotomy in the treatment of hemothorax?

How is the patient prepared for thoracotomy to treat hemothorax?

How is a thoracotomy performed for the treatment of hemothorax?

What is included in postoperative care following thoracotomy for the treatment of hemothorax?

How is a retained clot of hemothorax managed?

What is the role of intrapleural fibrinolysis in the treatment hemothorax?

What are the possible complications of hemothorax?