Unilateral hyperlucent lung in a child caused by a foreign body identified with v/q scintigraphy

A 5-year-old girl presented with episodes of coughing, inspiratory stridor, and occasionally squeaking breath sounds. There was no history of a foreign body aspiration. Initially, she was diagnosed with allergic asthma. However, signs and symptoms continued despite a trial of inhaled corticosteroids. A chest radiograph showed a hyperlucent right lung, mainly in the upper lobe, with decreased vascular markings compatible with Swyer-James-MacLeod syndrome, or foreign body aspiration. V/Q imaging showed markedly diminished right lung ventilation and perfusion, especially in the upper lobe, with a hot spot in the area of the right bronchus. At bronchoscopy, a pistachio nutshell was removed from the right main bronchus.