Chest Injury : Hemothorax
A hemothorax is a collection of blood within the chest cavity. Most commonly, this occurs due to trauma. Internal bleeding from a lung, or from a blood vessel that supplies the chest wall, can result in a hemothorax. Each side of the chest can hold 1 to 2 liters of blood in an average size person. This problem requires IMMEDIATE emergency treatment.
Common symptoms include: chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and hemorrhagic shock, if the accumulation of blood in the chest is massive.
Evaluation includes a chest x-ray which allows diagnosis and estimation of the hemothorax size. Blood tests (CBC) to check blood counts will help gauge the overall extent of blood loss.
Treatment involves surgical placement of a plastic tube into the chest which allows the accumulated blood to be suctioned. The tube will remain in the chest until the bleeding has stopped and the lung (indicated by x-ray) has adequately re-expanded (see pneumothorax).
When bleeding cannot be controlled by means of the chest tube, surgical intervention is usually necessary. The chest will be opened while the patient is under general anesthesia). The Thoracic Surgeon is the expert in the management of this problem.
Hope this article will provide you information about hemothorax.
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