Pneumohydrothorax

Pneumohydrothorcax is subcutaneous air and water emphysema, complicated by compression of the superior vena cava during external pneumothorax. It can occur when the chest is injured or a significant amount of air or blood enters the pleural cavity. The clinical picture is dominated by symptoms of increasing compression of the middle and upper third of the esophagus and trachea, mixed with headache, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, thirst, and dysphagia. Pneumohydrothorax must be differentiated from cardiac tamponade, thoracic aortic aneurysm, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal atresia.