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Hampton hump

Dr Luke A Danaher and Dr Jens Christian Fischer et al.

Hampton's hump refers to an dome-shaped, pleurally-based opacification in the lung due to pulmonary embolism and lung infarction. This characteristic appearance is seen because the infarcted pulmonary arteries cause a wedge-shaped infarction but because the bronchial arterial circulation is preserved, the expected apex of the wedge is spared causing a rounded opacification rather than a wedge.

Opacification occurs secondary to haemorrhage due to the dual blood supply from the bronchial arteries 1 (see lung Infarction). In case of infarction it takes months to resolve and it often leaves a linear scar.

If the underlying parenchyma doesn't undergo infarction, the Hampton's hump will resolve within a week by keeping it's typical configuration. This is referred to as the melting sign because its resolution resemblance a melting ice cube 2.

Etymology

Originally described by Aubrey Otis Hampton, an american radiologist in 1940.

See also

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