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Situs inversus with pneumothorax

Case contributed by Gagandeep Singh
Diagnosis certain

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

x-ray

Right pneumothorax. Dextrocardia and right-sided gastric bubble are suggestive of situs inversus. 

Large pneumothorax on the right with almost complete collapse of the right lung. The heart and aorta are in the right hemithorax. Gastric air bubble is beneath the right diaphragm and the liver is beneath the left hemidiaphragm.

Case Discussion

Situs inversus is a term used to describe the inverted position of chest and abdominal organs.

Pneumothorax, like in this case, typically demonstrates on radiograph with:

  • visible visceral pleural edge see as a very thin, sharp white line
  • no lung markings are seen peripheral to this line
  • the peripheral space is radiolucent compared to adjacent lung 

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