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A chylothorax is a condition that results from lymphatic fluid accumulating in the pleural cavity. Its cause is usually leakage from the thoracic duct or one of the main lymphatic vessels that drain to it. The most common causes are lymphoma and trauma caused by thoracic surgery.1
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chylothorax
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What is the success rate after surgery in dogs having chylothorax?
With thoracic duct ligation, the success rate for both dogs and cats being treated for chylothorax is anywhere from 40-60 percent. When TDL and pericardectomy are combined, the success rate is as high as 80-100 percent.
What are some complications that could occur from a mediastinoscopy?
Hemorrhage; pneumothorax; recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, causing hoarseness; infection; tumor implantation in the wound; phrenic nerve injury; esophageal injury; chylothorax; air embolism; transient hemiparesis.
What is the medical term meaning abnormal collection of air in the chest cavity?
Pleural effusion is the generic term for fluid in the pleural space, but there are more specific terms if you know the type of fluid. Blood - hemothorax Lymph - chylothorax Serous fluid - hydrothorax Pus - empyema or pyothorax
What is the medical term meaning abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity?
Ascites is accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity {abdomen}. Its known by several other names: Hydroperitoneum and believe it or not,...Peritoneal Cavity Fluid. The old-time name was Abdominal Dropsy. It can occur due to cancer, liver disease or other conditions.
What causes collapsed lung?
A pneumothorax is usually caused by an injury to the chest, such as a broken ribor puncture wound. It may also occur suddenly without an injury.A pneumothorax can result from damage to the lungs caused by conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia. Spontaneous pneumothorax can also occur in people who don't have lung disease. This happens when an air-filled blister(bleb) on the lung ruptures and releases air into the pleural space.People who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop a pneumothorax than those who don't. Also, the more you smoke, the greater your chances are of having a pneumothorax.
Hemothorax?
DefinitionHemothorax is a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity).Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe most common cause of hemothorax is chest trauma. It can also occur in patients who have:A defect of blood clottingBlunt trauma to the chestDeath of lung tissue (pulmonary infarction)Lung or pleural cancerPenetrating chest trauma (when a weapon such as a knife or bullet cuts the lung)Placement of a central venous catheterThoracic or heart surgeryTuberculosisSymptomsAnxietyChest painRapid heart rateRestlessnessShortness of breathSigns and testsYour doctor may note decreased or absent breath sounds on the affected side. Signs of hemothorax may be seen on the following tests:Chest x-rayCT scanPleural fluid analysisThoracentesisTreatmentThe 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.ComplicationsCollapsed lung, leading to respiratory failureDeathFibrosis or scarring of the pleural membranesPneumothoraxShockCalling your health care providerCall 911 if you have:Any serious injury to the chestChest pain or shortness of breathGo to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:Severe chest painSevere difficulty breathingSymptoms of hemothoraxPreventionUse safetymeasures (such as seat belts) to avoid injury. Depending on the cause, a hemothorax may not be preventable.ReferencesEckstein 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.
What is another name for chest drainage therapy?
A chest tube (chest drain or tube thoracostomyin British medicine or intercostal drain) is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the side of the chest into the pleural space. It is used to remove air (pneumothorax) or fluid (pleural effusion, blood, chyle), or pus (empyema) from the intrathoracic space. It is also known as a Bülau drain or an intercostal catheter.Contents[hide] 1 Indications2 Contraindications3 Technique4 Chest Drainage Canister5 Complications6 References7 External links[edit]IndicationsPneumothorax: accumulation of air in the pleural spacePleural effusion: accumulation of fluid in the pleural space Chylothorax: a collection of lymphatic fluid in the pleural spaceEmpyema: a pyogenic infection of the pleural spaceHemothorax: accumulation of blood in the pleural spaceHydrothorax: accumulation of serous fluid in the pleural space[edit]ContraindicationsContraindications to chest tube placement include refractory coagulopathy, lack of cooperation by the patient, and diaphragmatic hernia. Additional contraindications include scarring in the pleural space (adhesions)[edit]TechniqueThe insertion technique is described in detail in an article of the NEJM.[2]The free end of the tube is usually attached to an underwater seal, below the level of the chest. This allows the air or fluid to escape from the pleural space, and prevents anything returning to the chest. Alternatively, the tube can be attached to a flutter valve. This allows patients with pneumothorax to remain more mobile.British Thoracic Society recommends the tube is inserted in an area described as the "safe zone", a region bordered by: the lateral border of pectoralis major, a horizontal line inferior to the axilla, the anterior border of latissimus dorsi and a horizontal line superior to the nipple[citation needed]. More specifically, the tube is inserted into the 5th intercostal space slightly anterior to the mid axillary line.[3]Chest tubes are usually inserted under local anesthesia. The skin over the area of insertion is first cleansed with antiseptic solution, such as iodine, before sterile drapes are placed around the area. The local anesthetic is injected into the skin and down to the muscle, and after the area is numb a small incision is made in the skin and a passage made through the skin and muscle into the chest. The tube is placed through this passage. If necessary, patients may be given additional analgesics for the procedure. Once the tube is in place it is sutured to the skin to prevent it falling out and a dressing applied to the area. Once the drain is in place, a chest radiograph will be taken to check the location of the drain. The tube stays in for as long as there is air or fluid to be removed, or risk of air gathering.Chest tubes can also be placed using a trocar, which is a pointed metallic bar used to guide the tube through the chest wall. This method is less popular due to an increased risk of iatrogenic lung injury. Placement using the Seldinger technique, in which a blunt guidewire is passed through a needle (over which the chest tube is then inserted) has been described.[edit]Chest Drainage CanisterA chest drainage canister device is typically used to drain chest tube contents (air, blood, effusions). There are generally three chambers. The first chamber is a collecting chamber. The second is the "water seal" chamber which acts as a one way valve. Air bubbling through the water seal chamber is usual when the patient coughs or exhales but may indicate, if continual, a pleural or system leak that should be evaluated critically. It can also indicate a leak of air from the lung. The third chamber is the suction control chamber. The height of the water in this chamber determines the negative pressure of the system. Bubbling should be kept a gentle bubble to limit evaporating the fluid. Increased wall suction does not increase the negative pressure of the system. Newer systems are designed not to need the water seal chamber, so there is not a column of water that can spill and mix with blood, mandating the replacement of the canister. Even newer systems are smaller and more ambulatory so the patient can be sent home for drainage if indicated.[edit]ComplicationsMajor complications are hemorrhage, infection, and reexpansion pulmonary edema. Chest tube clogging can also be a major complication if it occurs in the setting of bleeding or the production of significant air or fluid. When chest tube clogging occurs in this setting, a patient can suffer from pericardial tamponade, tension pneumothorax, or in the setting of infection, an empyema. All of these can lead to prolonged hospitilization and even death. To minimize potential for clogging, surgeons often employ larger diameter tubes. These large diameter tubes however, contribute significantly to chest tube related pain. Even larger diameter chest tubes can clog.[4]In most cases, the chest tube related pain goes away after the chest tube is removed, however, chronic pain related to chest tube induced scarring of the intercostal space is not uncommon.In recent years surgeons have advocated using softer, silicone Blake drains rather than more traditional PVC conventional chest tubes to address the pain issues. Clogging and chest tube occlusion issues have been a problem, including reports of life threatening unrecognized bleeding that occurs in the chest due to an occluded or clogged drain.[5]Thus when a chest tube is inserted for whatever reason, maintaining patency is critical to avoid complications.Injury to the liver, spleen or diaphragm is possible if the tube is placed inferior to the pleural cavity. Injuries to the thoracic aorta and heart have also been described.Minor complications include a subcutaneous hematoma or seroma, anxiety, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and cough (after removing large volume of fluid).Subcutaneous emphysema indicates backpressure created by a clogged drain or insufficient negative pressure.
