Radiographic signs in post pneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula.
Four instances of bronchopleural fistula (BPF) occurred in three patients following right pneumonectomy. In all, a striking increase in air content and fall in the fluid level of the pleural space provided to be diagnostic. The radiologic diagnosis of BPF requires monitoring of the air-fluid level in the pneumonectomy space, using a horizontal beam to demonstrate the changing volume of air and fluid regardless of the patient's position. One patient presented with a tension pyopneumothorax without good clinical evidence of BPF and required prompt chest tube drainage for the relief of severe dyspnea; mediastinal shift had occurred toward the remaining lung. Mediastinal shift did not occur in the other patients.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography