Opaque Hemithorax: Re-Visiting The Causes

10.5580/2cf7 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Opaque Hemithorax

scholarly journals Late presentation of unilateral lung agenesis in adulthood

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arshed Hussain Parry ◽  
Mujahed Abdulsattar Ibrahim Raheem ◽  
Hussam Hassan Ismail ◽  
Osama Sharaf
Keyword(s):  
Main Bronchus ◽  
Left Lung ◽  
Left Hemithorax ◽  
Late Adulthood ◽  
Pulmonary Agenesis ◽  
Opaque Hemithorax ◽  
Dismal Prognosis ◽  
Mediastinal Shift ◽  
Lung Agenesis ◽  
Unilateral Pulmonary Agenesis

Abstract Background Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly with a reported prevalence of about 1 in 100,000 births. It may be bilateral or unilateral. Among the unilateral form, left lung agenesis is more common (70%); however, it is the right lung agenesis which carries a dismal prognosis due to the frequent association with a gamut of other congenital anomalies and greater degree of mediastinal shift leading to tracheo-bronchial and vascular distortion. The patients of unilateral pulmonary agenesis usually present in infancy or early childhood. Presentation in late adulthood as seen in our patient is rare. We present a case of left pulmonary agenesis that was diagnosed in 4th decade of life. Case presentation A 36-year-old male presented with gradually progressive exertional dyspnea of 1 month duration. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia and tachypnea. Chest radiograph showed opaque left hemithorax with ipsilateral mediastinal shift. Computed tomography clinched the diagnosis by demonstrating absence of left main bronchus, lung and left pulmonary artery with shift of heart, and great mediastinal vessels into left hemithorax. The patient was managed conservatively and discharged with attachment to out-patient department for regular follow-up. Conclusion Presentation of unilateral lung agenesis in late adulthood, as seen in the present case is extremely rare. This case report highlights that, a rare condition like unilateral pulmonary agenesis, should be considered in the list of differentials in an adult presenting with opaque hemithorax with ipsilateral mediastinal shift on radiography.

Unilateral lung hypoplasia: A rare cause of unilateral opaque hemithorax in chest X-ray in a young boy

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumya Bhattacharjee ◽  
Jaydip Deb ◽  
Arunabha Dattachaudhuri ◽  
Aparup Dhua ◽  
Priyanka Ghosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Hypoplasia ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Opaque Hemithorax ◽  
Chest X Ray

Radio-opaque hemithorax in a neonate

1989 ◽  
Vol 62 (742) ◽  
pp. 951-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Creagh ◽  
L. M. MacDonald ◽  
D. C. Garvie
Keyword(s):  
Opaque Hemithorax

Large Opaque Hemithorax Due to Cardiomegaly and Atelectasis

1985 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 805-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
LINDA J. WELLNER ◽  
DONALD R. KIRKS ◽  
DAVID F. MERTEN ◽  
BRENDA E. ARMSTRONG
Keyword(s):  
Opaque Hemithorax

scholarly journals A 54-Year-Old Man with Right Opaque Hemithorax and Worsening Shortness of Breath

Respiration ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankur Girdhar ◽  
Robert Zaiden
Keyword(s):  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Opaque Hemithorax

scholarly journals A Case of Small Cell Carcinoma of Lung Presenting as Opaque Hemithorax

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keerthan Ganapathi ◽  
Saood Ali ◽  
Ulhas Jadhav ◽  
Babaji Ghewade
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Small Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Tobacco Smoke Exposure ◽  
Opaque Hemithorax ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Enhanced Computed Tomography

The most common cause of an Opaque Hemithorax is Pleural Effusion. It is a rare occurrence to find patients with extensive mass leading to an opaque hemithorax. Thorough search of literature did not yield any case with such a large lung mass leading to opaque hemithorax, without the presence of pleural effusion. Lung cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed worldwide and has predominantly been attributed to tobacco smoke exposure. Of the several types, small cell lung cancer differs from others by its early spread and extensive dissemination leading to metastatic classification at the time of diagnosis. Here, is a case of a 50-year-old female patient who presented to the outpatient department with dry cough, weight loss and appetite loss since five months. Her chest radiograph revealed a right-sided homogeneous opacity involving the entire right hemithorax and left-sided pleural-based homogenous mass. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) thorax revealed an enlarged hemithorax with evidence of large, ill-defined heterogeneously enhancing multilobulated soft-tissue density mass lesion occupying the entire right hemithorax. Biopsy was suggestive of Small Cell Carcinoma of Lung (SCLC), chemotherapy was given and patient is under regular follow-up.

Atelectasis: Opaque Hemithorax

Chest Imaging ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 89-92
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Pleural Effusion ◽  
Main Bronchus ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Foreign Body Aspiration ◽  
Volume Loss ◽  
Radiographic Findings ◽  
Opaque Hemithorax ◽  
Mediastinal Shift ◽  
Upper Abdominal

Atelectasis resulting in an opaque hemithorax often indicates serious underlying disease including lung cancer or other tumors, with or without associated pleural effusion. Total lung atelectasis is usually caused by lung cancer obstructing a main bronchus, but can also result from mucus plugging, contralateral intubation of a main stem bronchus, bronchial stricture, or foreign body aspiration. A large amount of fluid and blood may be drawn into the collapsed lung with little or no loss of volume, resulting in a “drowned lung”. Chest radiographic findings of mediastinal shift toward or away from the opaque hemithorax, and associated findings pertaining to superior displacement of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm and upper abdominal structures help establish volume loss as the etiology of the opaque hemithorax. Absence of these findings indicates preservation of volume in the ipsilateral hemithorax which may indicate the presence of a mass, an obstructing central lesion with associated drowned lung or a large pleural effusion with associated ipsilateral atelectasis. Pneumonectomy will result in an opaque hemithorax secondary to fluid filling of the pneumonectomy space. Unilateral pneumonia is a rare cause of opaque hemithorax.

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