Pneumothorax vs Hemothorax
Although hemothorax and pneumothorax are very different conditions, it can be hard to tell the two apart in a test question.
Definitions:
Hemothorax: accumulation of blood in the pleural space usually secondary to trauma with injury to the vasculature. Can cause hypovolemic shock and death if not caught early and managed properly.
Pneumothorax: air in the pleural space. This can occur spontaneously, due to an underlying lung disease (COPD, CF), or can be due to trauma.
Tension pneumothorax: a pneumothorax with enough air and pressure in the pleural space that it causes hypotension secondary to impaired venous return. This can lead to a displacement of mediastinal structures (trachea, heart), but not always.
Extra resources!
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