Hemothorax is when blood collects between your chest wall and your lungs. This area where blood can pool is known as the pleural cavity. The buildup of the volume of blood in this space can eventually cause your lung to collapse as the blood pushes on the outside of the lung.
Symptoms
- pain or feeling of heaviness in your chest
- feeling anxious or nervous
- dyspnea, or having trouble breathing
- breathing quickly
- abnormally fast heartbeat
- breaking out in cold sweats
- skin turning pale
- high fever over 100°F (38°C)
Diagnosis
- CT scan
- X-rays
Treatment
- Thoracostomy
