1. Haemothorax
DG:
• CXR
• chest CT – for all patients with severe chest trauma
• thoracentesis
transudate
haemothorax with higher
attenuation (> 35 HU)
1. Haemothorax
TH:
• immediate tube thoracostomy
1.evacuation of blood
2.stop bleeding by apposition of pleural surfaces
3.evaluation of blood loss
4.may decrease incidence of empiema or fibrothorax
5.autotransfusion possible
• thoracotomy (cca 15%)
1.immediate drainage of > 20 ml/kg of blood
2.persistent bleeding > 200 ml/h
3.cardiac tamponade, vascular injury, pleural contamination,
major air leaks,...
•TH of shock, blood and fluid replacement,...
2. Tension PTHX
= air in the pleural space, which pressure exceeds the atmospheric pressure
throughout expiration (inspiration).
CAUSES – any type of PTHX:
1.with mechanical ventilation / NIPPV
2.during cardiopulmonary resuscitation
3.in divers
4.in air travel
5.in spontaneously breathing person at constant pressures (airway,
environment)
6.improper chest tube handling
Pneumoscrotum secondary to bilateral tension
pneumothorax
Di Capua-Sacoto C, Bahilo-Mateu P, Ramírez-Backhaus M, Gimeno-Argente V, Pontones-
Moreno JL, Jiménez-Cruz JF
Servicio de Urología. Hospital Universitario La Fe. Valencia. Spain
Actas Urol Esp. 2008;32(7):756-758
ABSTRACT
PNEUMOSCROTUM SECONDARY TO BILATERAL TENSION PNEUMOTHORAX
We report a case of pneumoscrotum secondary to a large bilateral tension pneumothorax. Although
pneumoscrotum is an infrequent clinical condition that is generally resolved by means of
conservative management, it may be a symptom of a serious and potentially life-threatening process.
The management of pneumoscrotum should be directed to resolve the underlying cause.
Key words: Pneumoscrotum. Pneumothorax. Complications.
2. Tension PTHX
Patophysiology:
• impaired venous return and decreased cardiac output
• V/Q mismatch - profound hypoxia
Clinical manifestations:
• sudden deterioration
• dyspnoe, cyanosis, tachicardia, profuse sweating
• hypotension, low O
2 saturation, distended neck veins
• subcutaneous emphysema, unilateral hyperinflation
• respiratory acidosis, hypoxemia
• sudden increse in plateau and peak pressures (volume – type vent.)
• sudden drop of tidal volumes (pressure – type vent.)
TH:
• thoracentesis for symptomatic relief (500 – 1000 ml)
• consider chest tube and pleurodesis
• avoid rapid evacuation of all pleural fluid (reexpansion
lung edema, PTHX)
3. Massive pleural effusion
• Haemothorax and tension pneumothorax can be
iatrogenic.
• Careful monitoring of patients and early recognition of
complications should be a standard after each invasive
procedure.
3. Conclusions