Dyspnea with an entirely opaque left hemithorax

Opaque hemithorax

Complete opacification of a hemithorax on chest X-ray is termed opaque hemithorax (OH) and is a common finding in emergency room patients. Attending physicians encountering an OH should be able to make an immediate decision regarding the most appropriate approach. The differential diagnosis of an OH is primarily based on the volume of the affected hemithorax, as determined by the position of th...

Opaque hemithorax in a young adult.

A Left Hemithorax Mystery

On examination he was sweaty and looked ill. The blood pressure was 140/90 mm Hg, heart rate 95 beats/ min, axillary temperature 38 ° C and respiratory rate 25/ min. The left hemithorax was dull to percussion and there were decreased breath sounds. The abdomen was found to be soft but tender with normal bowel sounds. Routine full blood counts and serum chemistry were normal, except for a raised...

A Left Hemithorax Mystery

On examination he was sweaty and looked ill. The blood pressure was 140/90 mm Hg, heart rate 95 beats/ min, axillary temperature 38 ° C and respiratory rate 25/ min. The left hemithorax was dull to percussion and there were decreased breath sounds. The abdomen was found to be soft but tender with normal bowel sounds. Routine full blood counts and serum chemistry were normal, except for a raised...

Teratoma occupying the left hemithorax

BACKGROUND Teratomas are manifested with a great variety of clinical and radiological features, while sometimes they simply represent incidental findings. CASE PRESENTATION A rare case of benign teratoma of the dermoid cyst type, in an adult 40-year-old female patient, is reported. The patient had presented recurrent pulmonary infections for the previous 2 months, persistent cough, and progre...