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Left atrial enlargement (due to mitral valve regurgitation)

Case contributed by Vincent Tatco
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Known rheumatic heart disease with shortness of breath

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Female

There is cardiomegaly with dilated left atrium and left ventricle.

The upper lung zone vasculature is prominent suggestive of pulmonary venous hypertension.

Annotated image demonstrating the double density sign of left atrial enlargement. 

Annotated lateral radiograph shows the markedly dilated left atrium displacing the left main bronchus posteriorly resulting in the "walking man" sign.

Case Discussion

This case demonstrates the radiographic features of chronic mitral valve regurgitation of a patient with rheumatic heart disease. The valve pathology was confirmed on echocardiography.

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