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Definition

Hemothorax is a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The most common cause of hemothorax is chest trauma. It can also occur in patients who have:

  • A defect of blood clotting
  • Blunt trauma to the chest
  • Death of lung tissue (pulmonary infarction)
  • Lung or pleural cancer
  • Penetrating chest trauma (when a weapon such as a knife or bullet cuts the lung)
  • Placement of a central venous catheter
  • Thoracic or heart surgery
  • Tuberculosis
SymptomsSigns and tests

Your doctor may note decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side. Signs of hemothorax may be seen on the following tests:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to stabilize the patient, stop the bleeding, and remove the blood and air in the pleural space. A chest tube is inserted through the chest wall to drain the blood and air. It is left in place for several days to re-expand the lung.

When a hemothorax is severe and a chest tube alone does not control the bleeding, surgery (thoracotomy) may be needed to stop the bleeding.

The cause of the hemothorax should be also treated. In trauma patients, depending on the severity of the injury, chest tube drainage is often all that is necessary. Surgery is often not required.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome depends on the cause of the hemothorax and how quickly treatment is given.

ComplicationsCalling your health care provider

Call 911 if you have:

  • Any serious injury to the chest
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:

Prevention

Use safetymeasures (such as seat belts) to avoid injury. Depending on the cause, a hemothorax may not be preventable.

References

Eckstein M, Henderson S. Thoracic trauma. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006: chap 42.

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Definition

Hemothorax is a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The most common cause of hemothorax is chest trauma. It can also occur in patients who have:

  • A defect of blood clotting
  • Death of lung tissue (pulmonary infarction)
  • Lung or pleural cancer
  • Placement of a central venous catheter
  • Thoracic or heart surgery
  • Tuberculosis
SymptomsSigns and tests

Your doctor may note decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side. Signs of hemothorax may be seen on the following tests:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to get the patient stable, stop the bleeding, and remove the blood and air in the pleural space. A chest tube is inserted through the chest wall to drain the blood and air. It is left in place for several days to re-expand the lung.

When a hemothorax is severe and a chest tube alone does not control the bleeding, surgery (thoracotomy) may be needed to stop the bleeding.

The cause of the hemothorax should be also treated. In people who have had an injury, chest tube drainage is often all that is needed. Surgery is often not needed.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome depends on the cause of the hemothorax and how quickly treatment is given.

ComplicationsCalling your health care provider

Call 911 if you have:

  • Any serious injury to the chest
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:

  • Dizziness, fever, or a feeling of heaviness in your chest
  • Severe chest pain
  • Severe difficulty breathing
Prevention

Use safety measures (such as seat belts) to avoid injury. Depending on the cause, a hemothorax may not be preventable.

References

Light RW, Lee YCG. Pneumothorax, chylothorax, hemothorax, and fibrothorax. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus CV, Martin TR, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 74.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 11/01/2010

Shabir Bhimji MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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Related questions

Does hemothorax mean blood in the chest?

Hemothorax is a medical term meaning blood in the chest cavity.


What is the difference pneumothorax and hemothorax?

A pneumothorax is a pocket of air in the chest cavity, and a hemothorax is a pocket of blood.


What is a hemo-thorax?

Hemothorax is a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity).


What is the cpt code for placement of anterior chest tube right hemothorax?

32551 - chest tube placement 860.2 - traumatic hemothorax 511.89 - spontaneous hemothroax


What is BILATERal hemothorax?

Bilateral hemothorax refers to the accumulation of blood in the pleural cavities on both sides of the chest. It is often a result of trauma or injury to the chest, leading to bleeding into the pleural space. This condition can lead to respiratory distress and requires urgent medical attention.


What is the suffix of hemothorax?

The suffix would be thorax. The chest


How many millitiers of blood must be present in the chest for hemothorax to be seen on an x-ray?

500


What is the presence of blood in the chest cavity called?

The presence of blood in the chest cavity is called hemothorax. It can occur due to trauma, surgery, or underlying medical conditions such as lung cancer or blood clotting disorders. Symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and low blood pressure. Treatment typically involves draining the blood from the chest cavity to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.


What does the term Blood in The Chest means?

The medical term for the condition of blood in the chest cavity is hemothorax. This condition may result from trauma.


Is Pyothorax an accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity?

Pyothorax is an accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity. Hemothorax is an accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity.


What accumulates in the pleural cavity when hemothorax is the diagnosis?

Blood accumulates in the pleural cavity when hemothorax is diagnosed. This can result from trauma, surgery, or certain medical conditions where blood leaks from blood vessels into the pleural space, causing difficulty in breathing and chest pain. Treatment may involve drainage of the blood to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.


What is cpt code 32020?

Tube thoracostomy, includes water seal (eg, for abscess, hemothorax, empyema), when performed (separate procedure) (this is now CPT code 32551)