This young patient has emphysema as a result of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Hyperinflation is noted as a generalized increase in radiolucency due to increased aeration and spread of vasculature, an increased AP chest diameter and retrosternal airspace on the...
Emphysema (PA Film) (left image) Hyperinflation, darkened lung fields, and decreased vascular markings. Emphysema (Lateral Film) (right image) Large retrosternal airspace, increased AP diametre (barrel chest), flattened hemi-diaphragms.
The following is a useful mnemonic for the differential diagnosis of a cavitating lung lesion: Cancer Autoimmune Vascular Infection (e.g. Tuberculosis) Trauma Youth (congenital)
Bullae are often associated with emphysema. By definition, a bulla is a gas-containing, avascular area of lung at least 1 cm in diameter and with a wall thickness of at least 1 mm. The arrows indicate bullae visible on the chest x-ray (left) and CT scan (right) of a...
Ill-defined fluffy structures with confluences plus or minus air bronchograms. [Courtesy of Dr. M. Hutcheon]
