CXR Case 095
A 71 year old man retired plumber is admitted from respiratory clinic
Describe and interpret this CXR
CHEST X-RAY INTERPRETATION
There is a right sided hydropneumothorax with lobulated pleural thickening over the lateral and posterior chest wall. The left side of the chest is clear.
CLINICAL CORRELATION
This is malignant pleural disease and most likely to be mesothelioma, given his asbestos exposure as a plumber.
CLINICAL PEARLS
The risk of developing mesothelioma is (asbestos) dose dependent (i.e. higher exposure, higher risk).
Time since first exposure is also important – latency following first exposure can be up to at least 50 years.
TOP 150 CXR SERIES
Prof Fraser Brims Curtin Medical School, acute and respiratory medicine specialist, immediate care in sport doc, ex-Royal Navy, academic| Top 100 CXR | Google Scholar | ICIS Course ANZ