Clinicoradiological Profile of Patients with Hydropneumothorax: A Prospective Study of a Hospital Population in Northern India

Abstract

Background: Hydropneumothorax is defined as the presence of air and liquid (pus, fluid, or blood) in the pleural cavity, and it carries significant morbidity. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the demographic and clinical-radiological characteristics of patients with hydropneumothorax. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted in the tertiary care center of northern India. Patients diagnosed with hydropneumothorax between January 2017 and December 2019 were included in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics, causes, symptoms and signs, and X-ray findings were collected and analyzed prospectively. Results: Fifty-two patients with hydropneumothorax were included in the study, 39 of whom were male. The mean age of patients was 34.17 ± 11.6 years. Dyspnea and cough were the most common findings in 50 (96.2%) and 49 (94.2%) patients, respectively. Fever was seen in 47 (90.3%), chest pain in 48 (92.3%), weight loss and loss of appetite in 30 (57.7%) patients, and hemoptysis in 11 (21.2%) patients. Cavitation was the most common chest X-ray finding seen in 34 (65.4%) cases. Tuberculosis (61.5%) was the most common cause of hydropneumothorax. For the management of hydropneumothorax, an underwater intercostal tube drain (ICD) was inserted in all the patients. The mean duration of intercostal drainage (ICD) in 51 patients was 21.3 ± 10.6 days. Conclusion: Patients of hydropneumothorax presenting with symptoms of respiratory distress required a prolonged period of chest tube drainage and usually showed a good response to the treatment.