Pneumothorax (ultrasound)

Case contributed by Omar Mohamed Shahin
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

The patient underwent splenectomy and was sent to do an abdominal ultrasound check for free fluid.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Male

Left Chest Wall

ultrasound

There was an absent lung sliding sign.

Left Chest Wall

ultrasound

Lung point sign on the left side of the image.

Right Chest Wall

ultrasound

Normal lung sliding is seen at right side.

Chest

x-ray

Left pneumothorax with associated pleural effusion (hydropneumothorax).

ct

Bilateral pleural effusion with left pneumothorax with partial lung collapse. 

Case Discussion

Visceral and parietal pleurae slide by each other with respiration identified as a shimmering white line at the interface.

On the left side it shows absence of this moving shimmering line as air has intervened in the pleural space anteriorly in supine position, hindering visualization of the moving visceral pleura against the parietal one.    

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