Presentation
Shortness of breath after climbing stairs.
Patient Data
Basal predominant emphysematous changes in a young woman, mid to upper lung zones essentially normal. No pneumothorax.
3D reconstruction of same patient after undergoing CT, showing "vanishing lung" in the bilateral lower lobes with essentially normal upper/middle lobes.
Case Discussion
This 60 year old woman presented with dyspnea on exertion. Frontal and lateral radiographs showed basal and left apical predominant emphysema with normal appearing mid and right upper lung zones.
CT confirmed that the lower lobes represented "vanishing lungs" (see 3D reconstruction). This patient was asked about drug use and confirmed both snorting and injection of methylphenidate/ Ritalin.
She is currently awaiting lung transplant at our institution.