IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Traumatic pneumothorax

Case contributed by Nikos Karapasias
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall from bicycle resulting in an injury of the lower left hemithorax by the handlebar. The patient complains of a sharp pain in the chest, aggravated by deep breathing.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Note the visible visceral pleural edge and a relatively increased transparency of the involved left hemithorax on the supine AP radiograph. This occurs as in the supine position gravity causes the lung to fall dorsally allowing the air to collect anteromedially, laterally and basally.

In the erect projection the large pneumothorax is far more evident since the lung is positioned more inferiorly. Thus, air is seen at the apex of the chest showing the familiar appearance of the visceral pleural line parallel to but separated from the chest wall.

Diagram

Case Discussion

The case demonstrates traumatic pneumothorax caused by penetrating or blunt trauma to the chest.

The supine pneumothorax is best confirmed on full expiration, but imaging in an erect position is preferred if the condition of the patient allows it. 

In this example the pneumothorax seems to be small in the supine projection, while the erect radiograph reveals its full extent (necessitating placement of a chest tube).

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.