Tracheal Deviation Images, Examination, Assessment, Hemothorax, Treatment
Trachea is a wind pipe which runs downwards from neck to chest cavity. It allows air to pass in and out from body. Due to abnormal pressure within chest cavity, trachea shifts towards opposite side of affective lung and this phenomena is termed as tracheal deviation. Tracheal deviation is also known as tracheal shift. Pneumothorax is the best example, as in pneumothorax intrathorasic pressure increases in one side of chest cavity so as a result trachea shifts towards other side of chest cavity and neck due to low pressure. Other examples involve fibro thorax, pleural effusion, atelectasis and in case of some cancers including bronchial and lung cancer.
Tracheal deviation is visually inspected on the basis of use of accessory muscles, chest structure and respiratory pattern. Shape of the chest helps to identify tracheal deviation. Shape of chest is observed on the basis of structure of the ribs and spine. Breathing pattern is also a diagnostic tool. After inspection, palpation is the 2nd step. In palpation, 2 fingers are placed at the back side of chest right below diaphragm and palpations are recorded. After palpation, auscultation is performed for tracheal deviation.
After examination, results are assessed to confirm the leading cause.Every respiratory disorder show different clinical finding. As in case of pleural effusion, tracheal deviation is contralateral. And no tracheal deviation is observed in emphysema and consolidation. Pneumothorax is the most common cause of tracheal deviation and it appears as contralateral tracheal deviation. In case of mucous plug with lung collapse, tracheal deviation is ipsilateral. In both contralateral and ipsilateral tracheal deviation, breathing sounds are decreased. So on the basis of these examination & assessment, leading respiratory disorder can be easily diagnosed and treated.
Hemothorax is a clinical condition in which blood accumulates in either side of chest cavity. Due to this blood accumulation, intra thoracic pressure increases leading to tracheal deviation. If blood accumulates in right side of chest cavity, then trachea will shift towards left side of chest cavity because of pressure difference in both sides. Preferably trachea deviates towards low intra thoracic pressure side. Blood in hemothorax contains only a little amount of pleural fluid. Dyspnea, abnormal oxygenation and poor ventilation are observed as sign of hemothorax. Trachealdeviation also counted as a clinical sign of hemothorax.
Treatment strategy totally depends upon leading cause of tracheal deviation. There is no specific treatment for tracheal deviation. When causative diseases are treated, tracheal deviation resolve on its own. In case of multinodular goiter, goiter is removed surgically. Mediastinal lymphoma is treated via chemotherapy. Biopsy is performed in pleural effusion and thoracentesis is performed in case of pneumonectomy. Pleural fibrosis is treated via surgery. Pulmonary fibrosis can be treated with medications. All these treatments mentioned above will lead to correction of tracheal deviation.
Tracheal Deviation Examination
Tracheal deviation is visually inspected on the basis of use of accessory muscles, chest structure and respiratory pattern. Shape of the chest helps to identify tracheal deviation. Shape of chest is observed on the basis of structure of the ribs and spine. Breathing pattern is also a diagnostic tool. After inspection, palpation is the 2nd step. In palpation, 2 fingers are placed at the back side of chest right below diaphragm and palpations are recorded. After palpation, auscultation is performed for tracheal deviation.
Tracheal Deviation Images
Tracheal Deviation Assessment
After examination, results are assessed to confirm the leading cause.Every respiratory disorder show different clinical finding. As in case of pleural effusion, tracheal deviation is contralateral. And no tracheal deviation is observed in emphysema and consolidation. Pneumothorax is the most common cause of tracheal deviation and it appears as contralateral tracheal deviation. In case of mucous plug with lung collapse, tracheal deviation is ipsilateral. In both contralateral and ipsilateral tracheal deviation, breathing sounds are decreased. So on the basis of these examination & assessment, leading respiratory disorder can be easily diagnosed and treated.
Tracheal Deviation Hemothorax
Hemothorax is a clinical condition in which blood accumulates in either side of chest cavity. Due to this blood accumulation, intra thoracic pressure increases leading to tracheal deviation. If blood accumulates in right side of chest cavity, then trachea will shift towards left side of chest cavity because of pressure difference in both sides. Preferably trachea deviates towards low intra thoracic pressure side. Blood in hemothorax contains only a little amount of pleural fluid. Dyspnea, abnormal oxygenation and poor ventilation are observed as sign of hemothorax. Trachealdeviation also counted as a clinical sign of hemothorax.
Tracheal Deviation Treatment
Treatment strategy totally depends upon leading cause of tracheal deviation. There is no specific treatment for tracheal deviation. When causative diseases are treated, tracheal deviation resolve on its own. In case of multinodular goiter, goiter is removed surgically. Mediastinal lymphoma is treated via chemotherapy. Biopsy is performed in pleural effusion and thoracentesis is performed in case of pneumonectomy. Pleural fibrosis is treated via surgery. Pulmonary fibrosis can be treated with medications. All these treatments mentioned above will lead to correction of tracheal deviation.
Tracheal Deviation Images, Examination, Assessment, Hemothorax, Treatment
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
June 05, 2019
Rating:
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
June 05, 2019
Rating:
