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Related Concept Videos

Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Flail Chest-II01:26

Flail Chest-II

Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis01:26

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
05:50

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

Published on: March 12, 2020

Expanding upon the unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax in children.

Jonathan R Dillman1, Ramon Sanchez, Maria F Ladino-Torres

  • 1Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, Mich 48109, USA. jonadill@med.umich.edu

Radiographics : a Review Publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc
|May 17, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax is a common finding in pediatric imaging. Radiologists must differentiate true lucency from opacity to diagnose various congenital or acquired conditions and guide patient management.

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International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
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A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Radiology
  • Thoracic Imaging
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax is a frequent observation on pediatric chest radiographs and CT scans.
  • This finding can stem from diverse congenital or acquired pathologies affecting lung tissue, airways, vasculature, pleura, chest wall, or even technical imaging artifacts.
  • A wide spectrum of conditions, including emphysematous changes, pneumatoceles, foreign body aspiration, Swyer-James syndrome, and congenital lung abnormalities, can manifest as unilateral hyperlucency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the differential diagnoses for unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax in children.
  • To emphasize the importance of accurate interpretation for appropriate patient management.
  • To highlight the need to distinguish true hypoattenuation from relative hyperattenuation of the contralateral side.

Main Methods:

  • Review of radiographic and CT findings associated with unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax.
  • Analysis of the etiological spectrum, encompassing both intrinsic lung diseases and extrinsic factors.
  • Discussion of diagnostic challenges and key imaging features.

Main Results:

  • Unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax has a broad differential diagnosis, ranging from benign to life-threatening conditions.
  • Accurate assessment requires differentiating true lucency from contralateral opacity.
  • Recognizing the underlying cause is crucial for clinical decision-making.

Conclusions:

  • Radiologists must be aware of the extensive differential diagnoses for unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax.
  • Distinguishing true lucency from relative opacity is paramount for correct diagnosis.
  • Timely and accurate diagnosis facilitates appropriate patient management and clinical outcomes.