Difference Between Pneumothorax and Hemothorax (With Table)

A pneumothorax is a medical term for a collapsed lung. When the air gets into the area between your lung and chest wall, it’s called a pneumothorax. As air pushes against the outside of your lung, it collapses. A pneumothorax is when the lungs collapse completely or partially. 

Hemothorax is the presence of blood in the pleural region. The source of blood could be the chest wall, lung parenchyma, heart, or main vessels. The volume of blood in this region can eventually cause it to collapse as blood pushes against the outside of the lung. 

Comparison Table Between Pneumothorax and Hemothorax 

What is Pneumothorax? 

The abnormal collection of air in the pleural cavity is known as pneumothorax. Sudden severe one-sided chest discomfort and shortness of breath are common symptoms.  

A one-way valve is established by a damaged tissue area in rare circumstances, and the volume of air in the pleural space increases. Tension pneumothorax is the medical term for this condition.  

Tension pneumothorax worsens oxygen deficiency and lowers blood pressure. Pneumothorax affects both lungs only extremely infrequently. Collapsed lungs are the medical term for this condition. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax happens for no apparent reason.  

Smoking, on the other hand, raises the chance of a primary spontaneous pneumothorax. In the presence of existing lung disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or tuberculosis, secondary spontaneous pneumothorax can occur. Pneumothorax has various causes like chest injuries, medical procedures, or it may be damage from lung disease. 

Chest X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds are commonly used to identify this illness. A small spontaneous pneumothorax goes away on its own. Doctors can try to drain the air with the help of a syringe or a chest tube. When the drainage isn’t working, surgery is required. Pleurodesis and pleurectomy are two surgical options. 

The prevalence of it is more likely in men than in women. Pneumothorax caused by ruptured air blisters is more common in people between the ages of 20 and 40, especially if they are exceptionally tall and underweight. 

What is Hemothorax? 

The abnormal collection of blood in the pleural cavity is known as hemothorax. Chest pain, trouble breathing, diminished breath sounds on the affected side, and a high heart rate is all symptoms of a hemothorax.  

An accident, cancer penetrating the pleural space, a blood clotting issue, an atypical presentation of endometriosis, a response to collapsing lungs, or any other condition might cause a hemothorax.  

A chest X-ray is usually used to diagnose this illness. Other imaging techniques, including ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI, can also be used to diagnose it. 

Draining the blood from your chest cavity is the most critical treatment for hemothorax. To drain any collected blood, fluid, or air, your doctor will likely insert a tube through your chest muscles and tissues, through your ribs, and into your chest cavity. A thoracentesis or thoracostomy is the medical term for this procedure. 

Dyspnea or difficulty breathing, pale skin, rapid breathing, pain or weight in the chest, anxiety, uneasiness, abnormally fast heartbeat, high temperature, cold sweats, and other symptoms are all common indications of hemothorax. 

Blood pooling in the chest can be caused by a variety of factors. It happens most often after significant chest injuries or surgeries that require opening your chest walls, such as heart or lung surgery. Certain illnesses that cause your blood to not clot properly can cause hemorrhage. 

Main Differences Between Pneumothorax and Hemothorax 

1. Pneumothorax occurs when there is an abnormal collection of air in the pleural cavity where if the pleural cavity is filled with blood, it’s known as hemothorax. 
2. Common symptoms of pneumothorax include shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Common symptoms of hemothorax include difficulty in breathing, chest pain, reduced breath sounds on the affected side, rapid heart rate. 
3. The most common cause of pneumothorax is chest injuries, and that of a hemothorax is chest trauma or a blood clotting defect. 
4. To treat a pneumothorax, the air that has been accumulated is removed with the help of a syringe or chest, and surgeries like pleurodesis and pleurectomy are performed. To treat hemothorax, the blood is drained with the help of a chest tube, and a video-associated thoracoscopic surgery is performed. 
5. Pneumothorax also has had reported cases in dogs and pigs, and hemothorax has had reported cases in horses. 

Conclusion 

Pneumothorax and hemothorax are both different conditions that occur in the pleural cavity. When it’s filled with air, it is known as pneumothorax, and if it is filled with blood, then it is known as hemothorax. 

Their treatments and causes also slightly vary. Pneumothorax can be treated by draining the air using a syringe or surgeries like pleurodesis and pleurectomy. On the other hand, hemothorax can be treated by draining the blood with the help of a chest tube, and a video-associated thoracoscopic surgery is performed. 

References 

1. https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Citation/1991/04000/MANAGING_PNEUMOTHORAX_AND_HEMOTHORAX.15.aspx 
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196064418311594