Presentation
Shortness of breath. Fatigue. Cause?
Patient Data
A complete white out of the right hemithorax.
The trachea is pulled to the right side.
Left lung clear.
Case Discussion
This appearance is termed a complete 'white out' due to the whole of one side of the thoracic cavity is opacified.
If one receives a radiograph of this nature some practical points to consider
- are there any prior radiographs it was evident on - it might be a pneumonectomy from years ago.
- are there any changes to the thoracic cage to suggest a thoracotomy to indicate a pneumonectomy
- which direction has the trachea gone. Pulled towards suggests a pneumonectomy or total lung collapse, pushed suggests a large effusion or rarely a huge thoracic mass.
Typically if new a CT is performed and reveals all.
Check out the position of the trachea on the range of pathologies here.
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