Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Communicating intrathoracic hydrocele.

W S Hartley1, S I Schabel, M C Scruggs

  • 1Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.

Clinical Imaging
|October 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Tense ascites can cause a rare herniation into the chest, mimicking other masses. Recognizing this communicating intrathoracic hydrocele prevents misdiagnosis and unnecessary tests.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Usefulness of standard plasma coagulation tests in the management of perioperative coagulopathic bleeding: is there any evidence?

British journal of anaesthesia·2014
Same author

Uses and abuses of fresh frozen plasma for the treatment of bleeding.

Clinical medicine (London, England)·2013
Same author

Achievement of immune tolerance in a patient with haemophilia B and inhibitory antibodies, complicated by an anaphylactoid reaction.

Haemophilia : the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia·2007
Same author

Imaging the small solid renal mass.

Abdominal imaging·2002
Same author

Cystic renal masses: accurate Bosniak classification requires adequate renal CT.

AJR. American journal of roentgenology·2000
Same author

Retained needle fragments in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

JAMA·2000

Area of Science:

  • Medical Imaging
  • Gastroenterology
  • Thoracic Surgery

Background:

  • Ascites can lead to unusual herniations of the peritoneum.
  • The gastroesophageal junction is a potential site for peritoneal reflection herniation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a specific type of intrathoracic fluid collection caused by ascites.
  • To differentiate this entity from other mediastinal masses.

Main Methods:

  • Review of imaging findings (chest radiograph, CT) in patients with ascites.
  • Analysis of anatomical pathways for peritoneal herniation.

Main Results:

  • Tense ascites can cause herniation of the parietal peritoneal reflection into the mediastinum.
  • This can create a communicating intrathoracic hydrocele, visible on imaging.
  • The condition may be mistaken for tumors, abscesses, or cysts.

Conclusions:

  • This communicating intrathoracic hydrocele is a distinct entity associated with ascites.
  • Radiological recognition is key to avoid confusion with other mediastinal pathologies.
  • Early identification prevents unnecessary invasive investigations.

Related Experiment Videos