Westermark sign
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Westermark sign is a sign of pulmonary embolus (PE) seen on chest radiographs.
Along with Fleishner sign and Hampton hump, it makes one of the one of the three described signs of pulmonary embolus on chest radiographs.
Pathology
In one study (PIOPED) this sign was present on ~10% of chest x-rays of patients with confirmed PE 2.
The theory behind the sign is either obstruction of the pulmonary artery or distal vasoconstriction in hypoxic lung 3.
Radiographic features
Radiograph
- focal peripheral hyperlucency secondary to oligaemia 2, 3, 4
- central pulmonary vessels may also be dilated 3
Differential diagnosis
-<p><strong>Westermark sign</strong> is a sign of <a href="/articles/pulmonary-embolism">pulmonary embolus</a> (PE) seen on chest radiographs.</p><p>Along with <a href="/articles/fleischner-sign-1">Fleishner</a> sign and <a href="/articles/hampton-hump-2">Hampton</a> hump, it makes one of the one of the three described signs of pulmonary embolus on chest radiographs.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>In one study (PIOPED) this sign was present on ~10% of chest x-rays of patients with confirmed PE <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>The theory behind the sign is either obstruction of the pulmonary artery or distal vasoconstriction in hypoxic lung <sup>3</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Radiograph</h5><ul>- +<p><strong>Westermark sign</strong> is a sign of <a href="/articles/pulmonary-embolism">pulmonary embolus</a> (PE) seen on chest radiographs.</p><p>Along with <a href="/articles/fleischner-sign-1">Fleishner</a> sign and <a href="/articles/hampton-hump-2">Hampton</a> hump, it makes one of the three described signs of pulmonary embolus on chest radiographs.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>In one study (PIOPED) this sign was present on ~10% of chest x-rays of patients with confirmed PE <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>The theory behind the sign is either obstruction of the pulmonary artery or distal vasoconstriction in hypoxic lung <sup>3</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Radiograph</h5><ul>
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