Hemopneumothorax

A hemopneumothorax (plural: hemopneumothoraces) (or, less commonly, haematopneumothorax or pneumohemothorax) is a term given when there is concurrent presence of a hemothorax and pneumothorax. It is a variant of a hydropneumothorax. 

Epidemiology

Approximately 5% of patients with pneumothorax will have concomitant hemothorax ⁶ .

Pathology

It is typically seen in the setting of trauma (traumatic hemopneumothorax) but can rarely occur in non-traumatic situations including:

• as a complication of cavitary pulmonary metastases ⁵ 
• as a complication of non-cavitary pulmonary metastases ²
• spontaneous: spontaneous hemopneumothorax ¹
• as a rare pulmonary manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis ³