Golden S-sign (lung)
Last revised by Mohammad Taghi Niknejad on 16 Aug 2024
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Gaillard F, Niknejad M, Deng F, et al. Golden S-sign (lung). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 06 Oct 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-1394
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rID:
1394
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Last revised:
16 Aug 2024,
Mohammad Taghi Niknejad ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Mohammad Taghi Niknejad had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Mohammad Taghi Niknejad's current disclosures
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Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Reverse S-sign of Golden
- S sign of Golden
- Reverse S sign of Golden
- S-sign of Golden
- Golden S sign
The Golden S-sign is seen on both chest radiographs and CT scans. It is named because it resembles a reverse S shape and is sometimes called the reverse S-sign of Golden.
Although typically seen with right upper lobe collapse, the S-sign can also be seen with the collapse of other lobes. It is created by a central mass obstructing the upper lobe bronchus and should raise suspicion of a primary bronchogenic carcinoma. Other central masses, such as metastasis, primary mediastinal tumor, or enlarged lymph nodes, can also cause it.
On this page:
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
The Golden S-sign is seen on frontal chest radiographs. In the most common situation, the appearance is that of right upper lobar collapse (the right upper lobe appearing dense and shifting medially and upwards) with a central mass expanding the hilum. Together, these two changes form a reverse S-shape.
Video
History and etymology
The sign was first described by Ross Golden (1889-1975), American radiologist, in 1925 3.
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Gupta P. The Golden S sign. (2004) Radiology. 233 (3): 790-1. doi:10.1148/radiol.2333021407 - Pubmed
- 2. Jannette Collins, Eric J. Stern. Chest Radiology. (2020) ISBN: 9780781763141
- 3. Golden R. The effect of bronchostenosis upon the roentgen ray shadow in carcinoma of the bronchus. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1925; 13:21.
Incoming Links
Articles:
Cases:
- Right upper lobe collapse
- Right upper lobe atelectasis due to endobronchial mass
- Right upper lobe collapse
- Golden S sign of right upper lobe collapse
- Golden S sign
- Golden S sign with rib and clavicle metastases
- Golden S sign
- Lung primary with cerebral and adrenal metastases
- S-sign of Golden
- S-sign of Golden
- Golden S sign
- Golden S sign
- Small-cell lung cancer - right upper lobe collapse
- Left upper lobe collapse
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