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Bilateral atelectasis

Case contributed by Andrew Murphy
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Left chest pain, 1 week post splenectomy

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Bilateral symmetrical curvilinear opacities extending superolaterally from the lower mediastinum. They are separate from the oblique fissure on the lateral projection, most likely to be atelectasis.

ct

No filling defects to suggest a pulmonary embolus. Bilateral lower lobe subsegmental atelectasis, with a small left pleural effusion. Postoperative stranding within the left upper quadrant and epigastric region.

Case Discussion

Atelectasis is common after large surgical procedures, patients will often present with chest pain native to the side of collapse. Subsegmental atelectasis like this is often best visualized on computed tomography.

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