IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Left upper lobe consolidation due to pneumonia

Case contributed by Thuan Tzen, Koh
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Fever and shortness of breath

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Female

On the PA radiograph there is opacity with air bronchograms in the left midzone with loss of visualization of the left heart border. The appearance is consistent with consolidation within the left upper lobe. This is confirmed on the lateral image.

3 months later

x-ray

Chest radiograph 3 months later shows resolution of the consolidation with re-appearance of the left heart border. 

Case Discussion

Left upper lobe pneumonia with a good example of the silhouette sign on the PA radiograph helping to localize the mid-zone opacity to the left upper lobe.  The fact that visualization of the left heart border is lost implies that the pulmonary consolidation must directly abut the heart, which therefore places it towards the anterior of the chest within the lingula portion of the left upper lobe rather than within the more posteriorly located lower lobe. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.