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Westermark sign

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Shortness of breath. Hemoptysis.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Left mid/upper zone regional lucency with truncation of normal left-sided pulmonary markings. Bilateral pleural effusions. 

Case Discussion

CTPA-proven pulmonary embolus (not shown). Westermark sign is a focal peripheral hyperlucency secondary to oligemia, and is a sign of pulmonary embolus on chest radiographs.

Acknowledgement: Dr Simon Ussher

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