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

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

Images

Aortic rupture, chest X-ray

Respiratory system

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Hemothorax Symptoms

Review Date: 11/01/2010
Reviewed By: 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)