Apical pneumothorax

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

University student with shortness of breath and mild left sided pleuritic chest pain. No trauma.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Thin left apical pneumothorax, with pleural edge evident and no vascular markings peripheral to it.

Right lung clear.

Case Discussion

The apices of a chest x-ray are on of the key review areas during methodical review of the film. The two key pathologies not to miss being:

  • apical pneumothorax
  • apical lung cancer (Pancoast tumor)

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