Unilateral Hyperlucent Lung in Children

Pediatric Chest Disorders: Practical Imaging Approach to Diagnosis

“…As only 10% of aspirated foreign bodies are radiopaque [32], however, indirect signs of aspiration including air trapping, focal airspace disease, pleural effusion, mediastinal shift, pneumothorax, or subcutaneous emphysema are important imaging surrogates. Unilateral hyperinflation [33] is the most commonly identified indirect sign of aspiration [34] (Fig. 10.11a).…”

Imaging of Small Airways and Emphysema

“…SJM is a variant of PICB and appears most often on CXR as a hyperlucent unilateral lung. 42 CT imaging often demonstrates segmental or lobar air trapping with both a compensatory decrease in perfusion and pulmonary artery hypoplasia of the affected segments of the lung (Fig. 5A, B).…”

“…5A, B). 42,43 Bilateral involvement on CT is the rule, though usually one lung is more severely affected. Because the original infectious insult in SJM syndrome occurs before the lung is mature, the affected segment/lobe or sometimes the entire lung may have a decreased number of alveoli or dilated airspaces caused by alveolar destruction.…”

Bizarre Radiographic Finding in a Female Soldier

“…Most of the cases are asymptomatic and detected by incidental chest radiography obtained in adults; unilateral air trapping and hyperlucency signs on high-resolution computed tomography scan aid in precise diagnosis. 1 The treatment includes early control of lung infections as well as influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and surgery only for recalcitrant cases. 2 …”