Point-of-care Ultrasound Identification of Tension Hydrothorax in the Emergency Department: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION

Tension hydrothorax is an uncommon emergent condition in which hemodynamic instability and respiratory compromise may occur. Emergency physicians may diagnose tension hydrothorax by point-of-care ultrasound.

CASE SERIES

We discuss the key sonographic features assisting in identification. Four patients with history of malignancy who were found to have tension hydrothorax exhibited the following common ultrasound findings: massive, left-sided pleural effusion; complete, compressive atelectasis; and shift of cardiac structures into the right hemithorax, resulting in right-sided probe placement to obtain cardiac views.

CONCLUSION

This is the first instance to our knowledge of point-of-care ultrasound findings in tension hydrothorax to be described in the literature.