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Mucous plug with left lung collapse

Case contributed by: Dr Andrew Dixon

Presentation:

Serial chest radiographs in an intubated young adult at 0, 4 and 10hrs.

From the case: Mucous plug with left lung collapse

Modality: X-ray

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Pre mucous plug CXR

Case Discussion:

The lungs are well aerated on the inital film. The subsequent film taken 4 hours later demonstrates left hemithorax white-out with mediastinal shift to the left consistent with left lung collapse. The final film taken 6 hours later shows resolution of the collapsed left lung.

These serial findings are consistent with left lung collapse secondary to temporary mucous plugging.