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Left atrial enlargement

Case contributed by Matthew Lukies
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Worsening shortness of breath on the background of asthma.

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Male
x-ray
  • double density sign (double right heart border) - left atrial enlargement

  • splaying of the carina

  • right lower zone atelectasis and pleural thickening

  • mild pulmonary venous congestion

  • intact sternal sutures

  • right shoulder prosthesis

Case Discussion

Characteristic double density sign (double right heart border) of left atrial enlargement.

Left atrial enlargement was subsequently confirmed on CT as the cause of the double density sign in this case.

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