Hydrothorax

Hydrothorax

Accumulation of serous fluid within the pleural cavities called hydrothorax. It may be unilateral or bilateral depending upon the causes.

Causes :

i. Congestive heart failure (most common cause of bilateral hydrothorax).

ii. Renal failure

iii. Cirrhosis of liver

iv. Meig's syndrome (triad of benign Ovarian tumor with Ascites and Pleural effusion)

v. Pulmonary Oedema

vi. Primary and secondary tumours of the lungs.

On Examination :

i. color of serous fluid are clear and straw-colored with characteristically  transudate.

ii. Specific gravity is under 1.012

iii. Protein contents below 1gm/dl and find little cellular content also.

Clinical Features : 

• If the fluid collection in pleural cavity is less than 300 ml ( normal less than 15 ml) no signs or symptoms are produced and may be appear in chest X-rays in standing posture as obliterated costodiaphragmatic angle.
• If fluid collection in pleural cavity is more than 300 ml that is the part of characteristic opaque radiographic appearance to the affected side with deviation of trachea to the opposite side.
• Respiratory embarrassment (rapid shallow breathing with inspiratory dyspnoea) and dyspnoea are also produced.

Source : Textbook of pathology (Harsh Mohan) 7th edition