Etymed
hemothorax
Definition
abnormal accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity of the chest
Clinical context
A 25-year-old trauma patient presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident with chest pain and shortness of breath. Physical examination reveals decreased breath sounds on the affected side with dullness to percussion. Chest X-ray shows a large pleural collection with loss of the costophrenic angle. CT scan confirms hemothorax with 1200 mL of blood in the pleural space.
Mnemonic
HEMOTHORAX - Hemorrhage into Thoracic cavity