Presentation
Progressive shortness of breath over the past week.
Patient Data
Age: 55 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Pleural effusion
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Large left sided pleural effusion.
The meniscus is well demonstrated on the superolateral aspect indicating fluid in the pleural space.
The effusion is causing midline shift.
Case Discussion
A simple x-ray of a common pathology with classical signs and some sound teaching principles.
One cause of opacification of the hemithorax is a pleural effusion.
When large it will 'push' the mediastinum away from it.
It will also have meniscus indicating fluid in the pleural space.
Consolidation, collapse and a pneumonectomy will not have these features.