title: Pseudo-hemothorax at computed tomography due to residual contrast media.
abstract: Pleural effusion is a clinical problem that has many causes, with hemothorax being one of them. Computed tomography readily characterizes pleural fluid with determination of the attenuation value, helping to distinguish hemothorax from other types of effusion. Herein, we report the case of a 67-year-old man with end-stage renal disease in which a high-density pleural effusion due to residual contrast media was misinterpreted as hemothorax. Radiologists should consider the possibility of contrast media retention when interpreting a high-density pleural effusion in patients with end-stage renal disease. Recognition of this entity is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis, which might lead to unnecessary testing or procedures.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Matías
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: pabaechl@uc.cl.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bächler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Chronic kidney failure; Computed tomography; Contrast; Differential diagnosis; Hemothorax; Media; Pleural effusion