№ 8Pulmonology14 min read
Pneumothorax, hydrothorax, pulmonary edema
1. Big picture
These three conditions are very common causes of acute dyspnea and abnormal chest imaging:
| Condition | What is in the thorax? | Main danger |
|---|---|---|
| Pneumothorax | Air in pleural space | Lung collapse; tension pneumothorax → shock |
| Hydrothorax / pleural effusion | Fluid in pleural space | Lung compression; infection/malignancy clue |
| Pulmonary edema | Fluid in lung interstitium/alveoli | Severe hypoxemia; acute heart failure/acute respiratory distress syndrome |
The examiner wants you to recognize the pattern quickly: sudden unilateral pleuritic pain = pneumothorax; dullness + decreased breath sounds = pleural effusion; orthopnea + crackles + frothy sputum = pulmonary edema.
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