Left lower lobe collapse

Case contributed by Dr Ajay C Desai
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Young male for pre-employment check-up

Patient Data

Age: 26
Gender: Male

Xray Chest PA view

x-ray

Retrocardiac triangular opacity with base over diaphragm and pointing towards left hilum.  The left hilum is also inferiorly depressed.

Case Discussion

A left lateral film (not shown) showed nearly same density of upper and lower thoracic spine conforming to some soft-tissue opacity in lower posterior zone of lung. Oblique film again showed triangular opacity with base over diaphragm and pointing towards hilum. Oblique fissure not identified separately.

Findings confirmed on CT (also not shown). 

Cause was left lower lobe bronchus stenosis with peribronchial calcification suggestive of chronic inflammatory disease (most likely tuberculosis in this subcontinent).

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