Presentation
Left chest pain, 1 week post splenectomy
Patient Data
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.
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.