Defective barcode sign – A newer sonographic sign in hydropneumothorax
Sasikumar Mahalingam
, Gunaseelan Rajendran, Anuusha Sadasivam, Manu Ayyan, Vivekanandan Muthu Pillai
Department of Emergency Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
Keywords: Defective barcode sign, diagnostic Ultrasound, hydro point, hydropneumothorax, point‑of‑care ultrasound
Abstract
Effusive pneumothorax can be hemopneumothorax, pyopneumothorax, or hydropneumothorax depending on the type of fluid compartment within the pleural cavity. Hydropneumothorax is the abnormal collection of air and serous fluid within the pleural cavity. Here, we report a case of a 34 year old male who presented to the emergency department with cough and breathlessness. We did bedside point of care ultrasound assisted clinical evaluation as the patient was vitally unstable, which showed “hydro point” and “defective barcode sign,” which suggested hydropneumothorax. We present these clinical evaluation details, imaging/sonographic findings, and patient management in this case report.