Fluidothorax



This is the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity.

Fluid distribution is affected by gravity and lung elasticity. The greatest elasticity is between the scapular and anterior axillary line, so we usually find the most effusion there. Due to gravity, the fluid is mainly in the costophrenic angle.

Types of fluid

 * exudate - the shape of a parabola with an apex in the axilla, the line descends towards the sternum and the spine -  'Damoiseau line' 
 * transudate
 * pus - empyema
 * blood - hemothorax
 * chylothorax

View

 *  expansio hemithoracis  - dilation of half of the chest, visible in poor people
 * shallower breathing movements

Tap

 * darkened to dark
 * the upper limit is not usually sharp - a consequence of the gradual loss of fluid in the cranial direction
 * above the upper limit - drum -  'Škoda percussion tone' 

Listening

 * above effusion weakened to inaudible
 * at the upper limit of compression
 * fremitus and bronchophony - weakened to disappeared

We are physically able to demonstrate fluidothorax up to a volume of 200-400 ml.

Related Articles

 * Examination of the chest from the point of view of a pneumologist
 * Basic lung syndromes
 * Pleural effusion