Hemithorax white-out - empyema

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Fever for 5 days, increased WOB. Tachypneic at triage.

Patient Data

Age: 3 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

White-out of the left hemithorax with mediastinal and tracheal shift to the right. No aerated lung is seen on the left suggesting collapse/consolidation. This results in reduced right lung volumes with plethora. No right sided consolidation, collapse or pleural effusion. No bony abnormality detected.

Case Discussion

The patient had subsequent pleural drain inserted, with empyema confirmed as the cause for the white-out. 

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