Chylothorax is a pleural collection of fluid formed by the escape of chyle from the thoracic duct or lymphatics into the thoracic cavity. Etiology Chylothorax in children occurs most frequently because of thoracic duct injury as a complication of cardiothoracic…
Hemothorax, an accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, is rare in children. Etiology Bleeding into the chest cavity most commonly occurs after chest trauma, either blunt or penetrating. It can be the result of iatrogenic trauma, including surgical procedures…
Pneumothorax is the accumulation of extrapulmonary air within the chest, most commonly from leakage of air from within the lung. Air leaks can be primary or secondary and can be spontaneous, traumatic, iatrogenic, or catamenial ( Table 439.1 ). Pneumothorax…
Pleurisy is the inflammation of the pleura; it may be accompanied by an effusion. The most common cause of pleural effusion in children is bacterial pneumonia (see Chapter 428 ); heart failure (see Chapter 469 ), rheumatologic causes, and metastatic…