Tip: read the case discussion before attempting the questions. What child's toy does the lung most resemble?
A balloon.
Tip: read the case discussion before attempting the questions. What are the 2 most common causes of complete opacification of a hemithorax?
Complete atelectasis of a lung and a massive pleural effusion.
Tip: read the case discussion before attempting the questions. In a patient with complete opacification of a hemithorax, what is the best way of distinguishing a massive pleural effusion from atelectasis?
A massive pleural effusion will push the mediastinum away from the "white-out", while the volume loss caused by atelectasis pulls the mediastinum to the opacified hemithorax.
Soft tissue mass occludes the right main bronchus and projects into the trachea. Complete atelectasis right lung and small right pleural effusion.