Keywords
pleural effusion,
atelectasis
hemothorax
pneumonectomy
adenocarcinoma
How to Cite
Abstract
Opaque hemithorax is defined as a complete opacity of an hemithorax, in a simple radiography.
The differential diagnosis is based on the position of the mediastinum: increased hemithorax volume, the mediastinum deviates contralaterally to the affected side (large thoracic masses and massive pleural effusion); decreased volume, the mediastinum deviates to the affected side (pneumonectomy, agenesis, atelectasis, aplasia and pulmonary hypoplasia); with normal volume, there is no deviation (pneumonia that affects the
entire lung, or bronchial carcinoma with atelectasisand pleural effusion). Case report: Female, 70
years old, with productive cough, hemoptysis,dyspnea, and decreased respiratory sounds in the
left base. Total radiopacity of the left hemithoraxis seen in the chest x-ray. Chest CT scan shows
obstructive atelectasis, secondary to mass in theleft main bronchus, 4cm from the carina; which is
confirmed with a bronchoscopy. Pneumonectomyis performed and a biopsy is taken (reported as
invasive adenocarcinoma).
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