Presentation
Acute left shoulder pain. Recent left arm IVDU.
Patient Data
Age: 45 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Arms mimicking pleural thickening on CXR
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The lungs are clear. No pneumothorax or pleural effusion. Bilateral smooth apparent pleural thicking in the lateral lower zones and costophrenic angles are caused by the medial aspects of the arms by the patient's side. Cardiomediastinal contours are within normal limits. No fracture identified.
Case Discussion
If the patient's arms are not flexed or abducted off the lateral chest wall, they may mimic pathology such as pleural thickening.