Thoracocentesis
Thoracocentesis is the name given to a clinical technique whereby fluid or air is removed from the thoracic cavity.
Indications for use
Emergency removal of air/fluid from the thoracic cavity - their presence causes dyspnoea and this must be eased to assist the animal in ventilating its lungs and hence oxygenating the blood.
Analysis of fluid - The type of fluid removed from the thorax can be a valuable diagnostic aid:
Milky Fluid- Probably chyle, it indicates rupture of the thoracic duct within the thorax. This condition is called chylothorax.
Bloody- Blood removed from the thorax is a sign of crushing of the great vessels and is often a sequel to a crushing injury such as road traffic injury. This is called haemothorax.
If air is removed from the thorax the condition is called pneumothorax. This can be due to many things, an example of which is a penetrating wound to the thorax.www.med126.com
Improved radiographs - Pleural fluid can be seen on a radiograph and is common to many diseases. Analysis of the fluid allow more accurate diagnosis to be made. Since fluid is radiodense it may obscure pathological changes within the mediastinum. Removal of the fluid will hence allow better radigraphs to be made.
Technique
Anatomical structures involved
