title: [Standard thoracic radiography in recent pneumonectomized patients. Its contribution to the diagnosis of empyema and bronchopleural fistula].
abstract: Case reports of 110 patients undergoing pneumonectomy were reviewed to assess value of standard postoperative chest radiography for detection of early complications, consisting mainly of empyema and/or bronchopleural fistula. Most radiologic modifications observed do not represent abnormal findings, although two signs can contribute to the radiologic diagnosis of empyema: the central superimposed air/fluid levels and the secondary mediastinal displacement, but even these signs are inconstant and of late onset. Five signs may be of significance for the diagnosis of bronchopleural fistula: in addition to the two described above there are the rapid fall in principal air/water level, the increase in subcutaneous emphysema and the late onset contralateral alveolar syndrome. The diagnosis of a bronchopleural fistula prior to the development of clinical symptoms was possible in one of two cases.
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004653:Empyema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies
vernacular_title: Le cliché thoracique standard chez le pneumonectomisé récent. Sa contribution dans le diagnostic d'empyème et de fistule broncho-pleurale.