Trapped lung
Updates to Article Attributes
Trapped lung, also known as unexpandable/unexpanded lung, is a term used where there is non-expandable lung post fluid removal, often thoracentesis. It is similar to but not entirely synonymous with the term lung entrapment, which is a similar condition but caused by active pleural disease rather than pleural inflammation from remote disease.
Pathology
Trapped lung develops as a sequela of pleural space inflammation from remote disease resulting in the development of a mature, fibrous membrane that impedes the lung from re-expanding. This creates a negative pressure environment in the pleural space, which is filled with fluid creating a pleural effusion. Drainage of this pleural fluid will often result in unavoidable pneumothorax from parenchymal-pleural fistulae.
Radiographic features
Plain film
Commonly noted to be associated with post-thoracentesis pneumothorax, and may have the following features 4:
- visceral pleural peel (thickening)
- basal pneumothoraces
- ipsilateral volume loss
- lobar atelectasis
Pneumothoraces, if present, typically do not appear larger on expiratory images 1.
Differential diagnosis
General imaging differential considerations include 1:
-<p><strong>Trapped lung</strong>, also known as <strong>unexpandable</strong>/<strong>unexpanded lung</strong>, is a term used where there is non-expandable lung post fluid removal, often <a title="Thoracentesis" href="/articles/thoracentesis">thoracentes</a><a title="Pleural tap" href="/articles/thoracentesis">i</a><a title="Thoracentesis" href="/articles/thoracentesis">s</a>. It is similar to but not entirely synonymous with the term <a href="/articles/lung-entrapment">lung entrapment</a>, which is a similar condition but caused by active pleural disease rather than pleural inflammation from remote disease.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Trapped lung develops as a sequela of pleural space inflammation from remote disease resulting in the development of a mature, fibrous membrane that impedes the lung from re-expanding. This creates a negative pressure environment in the pleural space, which is filled with fluid creating a pleural effusion. Drainage of this pleural fluid will often result in unavoidable pneumothorax from parenchymal-pleural fistulae. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain film</h5><p>Commonly noted to be associated with post-thoracentesis <a href="/articles/pneumothorax">pneumothorax</a>, and may have the following features <sup>4</sup>: </p><ul>- +<p><strong>Trapped lung</strong>, also known as <strong>unexpandable</strong>/<strong>unexpanded lung</strong>, is a term used where there is non-expandable lung post fluid removal, often <a href="/articles/thoracentesis">thoracentes</a><a href="/articles/thoracentesis">i</a><a href="/articles/thoracentesis">s</a>. It is similar to but not entirely synonymous with the term <a href="/articles/lung-entrapment">lung entrapment</a>, which is a similar condition but caused by active pleural disease rather than pleural inflammation from remote disease.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Trapped lung develops as a sequela of pleural space inflammation from remote disease resulting in the development of a mature, fibrous membrane that impedes the lung from re-expanding. This creates a negative pressure environment in the pleural space, which is filled with fluid creating a pleural effusion. Drainage of this pleural fluid will often result in unavoidable pneumothorax from parenchymal-pleural fistulae. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain film</h5><p>Commonly noted to be associated with post-thoracentesis <a href="/articles/pneumothorax">pneumothorax</a>, and may have the following features <sup>4</sup>: </p><ul>
Image 3 X-ray (Frontal) ( create )
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