Findings are suggestive of a chronic right fibrothorax. The history of empyema, tuberculosis, hemothorax,  rheumatoid, or asbestosis can help clench the diagnosis. Our patient had a history of right-sided hemothorax secondary to trauma. 

Fibrothorax is a time-dependent process. It can be prevented if the pleural disease is treated in a timely manner.  Depending on the cause, insertion of a chest tube can remove an effusion or hemothorax, preventing the development of a fibrothorax.

Sometimes a decortication procedure is required once the onset of fibrosis begins. This will allow the lung to reexpand.