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Left lower lobe pneumonia

Case contributed by Hein Els
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Abdominal pain

Patient Data

Age: 7
Gender: Male
x-ray

Patchy consolidation left lower lobe with partial silhouetting of the left hemi-diaphragm. Remainder of the lungs are clear. 

No abdominal pathology. 

Case Discussion

Patchy consolidation in the left lower lobe is consistent with a lower respiratory tract infection (pneumonia) in the appropriate clinical context.

This case illustrates the importance of assessing the lung bases when interpreting an abdominal x-ray. Children can present with abdominal pain as the only symptom of pneumonia. 

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