Hydropneumothorax: Evaluation of Advance Clinical Knowledge and Effectiveness of Diagnostic Techniques for Treatment

The objective was to add to and advance clinical knowledge as well as the effectiveness of diagnostic techniques for treating hydropneumothorax patients. Hydropneumothorax is an abnormal presence of air and fluid in the pleural space. Even though the knowledge of hydro-pneumothorax dates back to the days of ancient Greece, not many national or international literatures are documented. Hydro-pneumothorax became enlightened in ancient, cave-dwelling Greece. It is a word that describes the simultaneous presence of fluid (hydrothorax) and free air (pneumothorax) in the pleural space. Diagnosed cases of hydropneumothorax from casualty and routine OPD are considered. Detail of clinical background entered. Patients were subjected for analysis of sputum, blood and pleural fluid. Radiological investigation was done. Patients underwent tube thoracotomy procedure and observed till resolution. Total 97 subjects had participated. Among them 76(78.35%) were men and 21 (21.64%) women. 91(93.85%) subjects had shortness of breath. 34 subjects (35.05%) had tuberculosis in the past. Sputum smear AFB was positive in 19 subjects (19.58%). Plural fluid GeneXpert MTB was detected in 11 subjects (11.34 %) and MGIT Culture positive in 23(23.71%) subjects. Plural fluid gram stain culture was conclusive in 24 (24.74%) subjects. Pleural fluid ADA was raised in 74 (76.28%) subjects. Hypoxemia was observed in 46 (47.42%). In 38 (39.19%) cases chest tube was removed between 31 to 60 days. The most frequent aetiology of hydropneumothorax is found to be tuberculosis, and the length of time needed for resolution is unknown. To identify the condition's cause, pleural fluid analysis (cytology, microbiological culture, biochemical measurement), and computed tomography were crucial. In order to treat hydropneumothorax, chest tube thoracotomies are still the most common procedure. Advanced procedures, however, offer a chance for additional research and have promising results.