What a load of bullae!
Appropriate and timely insertion of chest drains can be lifesaving. The radiological absence of lung markings is not exclusively diagnostic of pneumothorax. The insertion of an intrapleural drain should effect an immediate clinical and radiological improvement. Failure to achieve the expected result should prompt a full clinical reassessment.
Kaplan
D K
DK
Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool.
Williams
A J
AJ
Drakeley
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D001768:Blister / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography