Pneumothorax with bulla

Case contributed by Anson Chan
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Sudden onset of sharp left-sided chest pain. Tachypneic with desaturation.

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

There is a hyperlucency in the left upper zone suggestive of a bulla. There is a left-sided pneumothorax.

ct

Moderate left-sided pneumothorax is most voluminous at the left lung base anteriorly. Note is made of mediastinal shift to the right.

There is extensive centrilobular and paraseptal emphysema most pronounced at the upper lobes bilaterally. A cystic lesion within the left hemithorax anteriorly and superiorly likely represents an exophytic bulla.

A calcified granuloma is noted in the right upper lobe.

Case Discussion

Plain radiographs and CT show a left-sided pneumothorax, a large bulla and emphysematous changes.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.