December 2011 Case of the Month

Clinical History

A 19-year-old woman presents with complaints of cough, with a history of recurrent left pneumonias and abnormalities noted in the left lung on outside facility prior imaging. A frontal and lateral chest radiographic examination (Figures 1A and B) was performed. A chest radiograph (Figure 1C) obtained over one year previously is shown for comparison.

Figure 1.

What is the main finding on the current chest radiograph (Figures 1A and B)? How would you describe the finding?

1. A left upper lobe mass is present
2. A wide mediastinum is present
3. Partial collapse of the left upper lobe is present
4. An extrapulmonary lesion is projected over the left upper thorax
5. A left pleural effusion is present

Reference as: Gotway MB. December 2011 case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care 2012;4:5-11. (Click here for a PDF version of the manuscript)