Dear Friends,
today I am presenting another “Art of interpretation” case. I like them and think they have good teaching value.
Radiographs were taken for preoperative knee surgery in a 21-year-old man.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Diagnosis:
1. Swyer-James-McLeod syndrome
2. Congenital hypoplasia of left lung
3. LUL collapse
4. None of the above
Click here to see the images
Click here to see the answer
Findings: PA radiograph shows a hyperlucent left lung with a small elevated hilum (A, white arrow). The trachea is deviated towards the left and the left main bronchus is curved upward (A, blue arrow). There is a small peak in the left hemidiaphragm (A, red arrow). And there is a triangular-shaped paraspinal opacity (A, circle), better seen in the cone down view (B, white arrow), with two linear metallic opacities inside (B, red arrows).
The lateral view (C) is unremarkable. Although the PA findings suggest loss of volume of the LUL, there are some negative findings: no anterior displacement of the left major fissure and no opacity indicative of LUL collapse.
Analysis of the findings
There are four obvious findings:
1. Hyperlucent left lung with small left hilum
2. Tracheal deviation to the left
3. Upward curving of left main bronchus
4. Juxtaphrenic peak (*)
All these findings are indicative of LUL volume loss with compensatory overinflation of the LLL.
There are two less obvious findings, which are diagnostic:
Paramediastinal opacity with surgical staples
No signs of LUL collapse in the lateral view
The first indicates previous surgery and the second excludes LUL collapse. Taken together, these findings lead to the obvious conclusion that the patient had undergone a previous lobectomy.
(*) The juxtaphrenic peak sign was described by my late friend Kenneth Kattan as an indirect sign of LUL collapse. Semin Roentgenol 1980; 15:187-193
LOSS OF VOLUME OF LUL + SURGICAL STAPLES = LUL LOBECTOMY
In the past, the patient had embryonal carcinoma of the testicle with a metastatic nodule in the LUL (A and B, arrows). He had undergone LUL lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery one year before.
Final diagnosis: LUL lobectomy for metastasis of embryonal testicular carcinoma
I’m showing this case to emphasize the importance of identifying metal sutures in the chest radiograph. Nowadays, most surgical procedures are done by video thoracoscopy which doesn’t leave any telltale signs other than surgical staples. These are difficult to see because of their small size and because high kV “burns” metal density.
Staples are visible as a faint longitudinal ring chain somewhat denser than the surrounding tissues. It’s very important to be familiar with their radiographic appearance because they offer valuable information about previous surgery.
When staples are detected, our interpretation of associated findings may change, as occurred with the case presented.
To familiarize you with the radiological appearance of surgical staples, I’m showing three more cases.
CASE 1:
88-year-o.ld man with dementia and moderate dyspnea. Chest radiographs show a nodule in the RUL (A and B, arrows). PA view shows post-surgical changes at the left 6th and 7th ribs and a hyperlucent left lung with a small hilum. There are surgical clips in the mediastinum (A and B, red circles). These findings suggest a previous LUL lobectomy and a second primary tumor. The patient’s records disclosed a LUL lobectomy for carcinoma twenty years earlier. The second primary tumor was confirmed by needle biopsy.
The radiographic findings are typical of “old” chest surgery.
CASE 2:
PA radiograph of a 23-year-old woman with a nondescript LUL infiltrate (A, arrow). Close-up view reveals a longitudinal ring chain of staples within the infiltrate (B, arrows), pointing to a man-made opacity secondary to video thoracic surgery.
Diagnosis: changes after endoscopic LUL bullectomy for recurrent pneumothorax.
CASE 3:
I saw this case three weeks ago and it is still unproven. A 44-year-old woman from another country came for a routine cardiac checkup. The PA chest radiograph shows a serpiginous opacity in the LLL (A, arrow) with a ring chain of staples in the periphery, better seen in the cone down view (B, arrows). On questioning, the patient mentioned previous endoscopic surgery for a nodule in the left lung two years ago. Enhanced CT shows a solid lesion with staples in the periphery (C, arrow).
As the patient could not provide previous medical records, we were unable to ensure that the changes were attributable to scar tissue. A follow-up CT has been scheduled.
Final words: Staples are difficult to reproduce on the computer screen, and I have done my best. I assure you that they are easily visible on a 14 by 17 reading console, provided that you see and recognize them 🙂
Follow Dr. Pepe’s teaching points:
1. Surgical staples are visible as a faint longitudinal ring chain.
2. They indicate previous surgery and help to interpret the chest findings under a new light.
Greetings Professor
PA view Left hemithorax appears reduced in size compared to right .left lung appears abnormal , left heart border is unusually very sharp . sharp vertical line seen parallel to left border in retrocardiac location . left descending thoracic aorta not seen . in left paracardiac location vessels appear abnormal , looks as if all trying to bunch up and coming close together. Rest of left lung show decresed vessel density, size and number compared to right side.
Lateral view appears unremarkeble(apologies I am not good in reading laterals)
Summery : small hyperluscent left hemithorax with decreased size of vessels and patient is asymptomatic . this points us to Swayer James Syndrome. (postinfectious obliterative bronchiolitis. )
Volume loss in left lower lobe could also be part of same pathology causing bronchi to narrow. Broncheictasis is also associated with swayer james so that could also contribute to volume loss in left lower lobe.
Thanks
Remember that you cannot make the diagnosis of Swyer James syndrome without an expiration view
Hello,
There is a curvilinear line in the lower third of the left lung which suggests left lower lobe collapse. The artery to the left lower lobe is also not well seen (hypoplastic?). There is also compensatory hyperexpansion of the right lung.
Cheers!
See my answer to VL above
Swyer-James-McLeod syndrome
See the answer to VL above
LUL collapse
Do you see it in the lateral view?
I can see radio-opaque shadow extending from the mid to the upper posterior zone of the lateral film could represent partial atelectasis and there is left side tracheal shift in the PA view
Swyer james maclodes syndrome
Reduced left lung volume with decreased vascularity and a small left hilum. Left main bronchus is angulated upwards, left upper mediastinal border is indistinct, on the lateral there is a linear opacity extending upwards from the left hilum, but no obvious sings of LUL collapse.
Curved line behind the heart is not associated with increased opacity of the mediobasal left lung zone, and the diaphragm is not obscured – no obvious LLL collapse. Could be an abnormal pleuromediastinal contour.
Additionally, there is a small crescent-like opacity in the left lower lung zone, seemingly travelling downwards towards the left costophrenic sulcus – one possibility I found is that of collateral pleural vessels.
Overall, I think the findings are more consistent with hypoplastic left lung due to unilateral pulmonary artery atresia, and possible systemic vascular supply.
A nice discussion, but the answer is simpler😊
Could this be an atypical segmental atelectasis? For example, the atelectatic apicoposterior segments would account for tracheal deviation, hilar traction upwards, and a linear opacity on the lateral, but this doesn’t explain the retrocardiac line.
Segmental atelectasis would not give a small left lung. Answer in two days
Good morning!!
There is loss of volume of the left henithorax with decreased vascularization. I can´t see the left pulmonary artery well. I think it could be a pulmonary hypoplasia.
We don´t have an expiratory film to say if the patient has air trapping to sepak abot MacLeod.
Good comment about expiration needed for diagnosing McLeod.
In the other hand, remember that pulmonary hypoplasia rarely occurs on the left side😜
Dear professor
is it simply a left lower lobe collapse with hyperinflation of left UL .
thanks
Even simpler. Wait for the answer on Friday
Even simpler. Wait for the answer on Friday.
Or look at diploma case 117 😊
It is friday and now all of you know the correct answer. I guess Fadi is the one that got closer to the diagnosis.
thanks dear Professor. Real good learning points.