February 2019 Imaging Case of the Month: Recurrent Bronchitis and Pneumonia in a 66-Year-Old Woman

Michael B. Gotway, MD

Department of Radiology

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ

Clinical History: A 66–year old woman presented with complaints of a non-productive cough worsening over the previous several weeks. She complained that her cough had also occurred several months earlier, but resolved, and then subsequently returned.

The patient indicated that she has had bouts of bronchitis off and on for many years. Her smoking history included only 3 cigarettes / day for two years, quitting 20 years earlier. She did not note any allergies and her list of medications included only vitamin supplements, baby aspirin, omeprazole, and lisinopril. Her surgical history was remarkable only for remote tonsillectomy and hysterectomy.

Her physical examination was largely unremarkable, although some course breath sounds were detected over the medial right base. Her vital signs showed normal pulse rate and blood pressure, breathing at 12 breaths / minute. Her room air oxygen saturation was 97%.

Frontal chest radiography (Figure 1) was performed.

Figure 1. Initial frontal chest x-ray.

Which of the following represents the most accurate assessment of the chest radiographic findings? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of sixteen pages)

1. Chest radiography shows a vague solitary pulmonary opacity
2. Chest radiography shows basilar fibrotic opacities
3. Chest radiography shows cavitary pulmonary lesions
4. Chest radiography shows marked cardiomegaly
5. Chest radiography shows numerous small nodular opacities

Cite as: Gotway MB. February 2016 imaging case of the month: Recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia in a 66-year-old woman. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2019;18(2):31-49. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc006-19 PDF

Medical Image of the Week: Recurrent Sarcoidosis Resembling Malignancy

Figure 1. CT scan showing multiple splenic masses.

The patient is a 64-year-old, non-smoking, woman who presented with a dry cough for a year and had a history of sarcoidosis. Five years ago, she presented with cough, bilateral pulmonary nodules and mediastinal adenopathy. At that time by a fine needle aspiration (FNA) under endobronchial ultrasound biopsy (EBUS), revealing non caseating granulomatous inflammation. She had complete remission after she was treated with a course of steroids. Follow up chest CT showed remission of her disease. On this presentation, she was found to have incidental multiple splenic masses on a CT scan of the chest (Figure 1). Physical examination was normal, CBC and chemistry were normal, and she had negative tests for tuberculosis, rheumatologic disease, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue disease. 

Pulmonary function tests were consistent with restrictive impairment and mild decrease in diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan) showed increased uptake corresponding to these lesions with no other areas of abnormal uptake in the body. CT-guided biopsy of splenic lesion showed non-caseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. She was retreated with a course of steroids and a follow up CT scan of the abdomen showed resolution of the splenic masses.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology characterized by non-caseating granulomas. It is thought to result from an exaggerated host cellular immune response to an unknown antigen. Although the lungs are involved in 90 % of patients, other organs can be affected with the lungs or in isolation. Visceral involvement is usually asymptomatic and presents as hepatosplenomegaly on physical exam, or less often as isolated nodular splenic lesions suspicious of lymphoma. Rarely patients can have elevated liver enzymes from liver involvement or cytopenias from splenic enlargement (1).

Other differential diagnoses include infectious, neoplastic or benign conditions that may have similar morphology, such as tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, and lymphomas, hemangiomas and hamartomas. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by a biopsy and the disease responds to steroid treatment in over 70% of patients (2). Splenectomy is a therapeutic option in cases of steroids failure, severe hypersplenism, inability to exclude malignancy, or if risk of splenic rupture is high (3).

Isolated splenic sarcoidosis is a rare condition that can be the first presentation of sarcoidosis or a site of disease recurrence. It can mimic a variety of infectious, benign or malignant conditions especially when it presents with cytopenias due to hypersplenism, making biopsy necessary. Fortunately, splenic sarcoidosis responds to steroid treatment in most patients. Splenectomy can be considered in refractory cases.

Fuad Zeid MD¹, Hasan S. Yamin MD¹, Ahmed Amro MD², Fadi Alkhankan MD³, and Hani Alkhankan MD⁴

¹Pulmonary and Critical Care and ²Internal Medicine

Marshall University

Huntington, WV USA

³Pulmonary and Critical Care

Mercy hospital/ St. Louis University

St. Louis, MO USA

⁴McLaren Oakland Pulmonary/Critical Care,

Pontiac, MI USA

References

1. Vakil A, MD, Upadhyay H, Sherani K, Cervellione K, Fein A. A case of splenic sarcoidosis: initial diagnosis and one-year symptom follow-up. Chest. 2014;145(3):210A [Abstract].
2. Calik M, Aygun M, Yesildag M, et al. Nodular splenic sarcoidosis: a rare case report and review of the literature. Chest. 2014;146(4):399A [Abstract].
3. Sharma OP, Vucinic V, James DG. Splenectomy in sarcoidosis: indications, complications, and long-term follow-up. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis. 2002 Mar;19(1):66-70. [PubMed]

Cite as: Zeid F, Yamin HS, Amro A, Alkhankan F, Alkhankan H. Medical image of the week: recurrent sarcoidosis resembling malignancy. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;18(5):279-80. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc057-18 PDF 

Medical Image of the Week: Mediastinal Lipomatosis

Figure 1. Chest X-ray showing right sided mediastinal mass.

Figure 2. Coronal (A) and axial (B) CT Images showing a right paratracheal homogenously fat-enhancing mass.

A 61-year-old man presented to the pulmonary clinic for evaluation of a chronic cough of 6 months’ duration.  Other medical problems included class three obesity, obstructive sleep apnea on CPAP therapy, and hypertension.  Chest X-Ray (Figure 1) revealed a right mediastinal mass which then prompted a chest CT to be performed. The chest CT (Figure 2) demonstrated a homogenously enhancing, well circumscribed and fat-attenuating 8 x 5 cm mass in the right paratracheal region without invasion or compression into surrounding structures.

Mediastinal lipomatosis was diagnosed.  This is a benign soft tissue tumor made of mature adipocytes that can be seen with obesity, chronic corticosteroid use, and Cushing’s syndrome.  They are thought to represent up to 2.3% of all primary mediastinal tumors (1).  They are occasionally associated with compression of surrounding structures which can cause superior vena cava syndrome, dry cough, dysphagia, and occasionally arrhythmias (2).  Management is typically conservative with weight loss encouraged unless mass effect is present that significantly affects quality of life, in which case surgical options may be explored. 

Although this patient’s cough could be due to this lipoma, he also had symptoms of cough possibly exacerbated by severe gastroesophageal reflux disease which was not yet managed.  A trial of a proton pump inhibitor was pursued with follow-up arranged to determine if further intervention is necessary.

Bryan Borg MD and James Knepler MD

Department of Medicine

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ USA

References

1. Gaerte SC, Meyer CA, Winer-Muram HT. Fat-containing lesions of the chest. Radiographics. 2002;22:61-78. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. Cutilli T, Schietroma M, Marcelli VA, Ascani G, Corbacelli A. Giant cervico-mediastinal lipoma. A clinical case. Minerva Stomatol. 1999 Jan-Feb;48(1-2):23-8. [PubMed]

Cite as: Borg B, Knepler J. Medical image of the week: mediastinal lipomasosis. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;16:228-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc046-18 PDF 

Medical Image of the Week: Tortuosity of Thoracic Aorta Mimicking a Lung Mass

Figure 1. PA (A) and lateral (B) chest X-ray showing a 5x4 cm round mass with sharp margins in retrocardiac area.

Figure 2. A-C: Initial CT image showing thoracic aorta acutely angulated above the diaphragm and crossing to the right side of the chest. Then the aorta acutely angulates again and descends into the abdomen on the right. D: Follow-up CT image after 2 years showing saccular dilatation of transverse area of thoracic aorta.

An 83-year-old female presented with epigastric discomfort and nausea for 1 month. Her past medical history included hypertension and osteoarthritis. Her vital signs at were unremarkable. Her electrocardiogram revealed only atrial premature beats. Laboratory examination, including complete blood count, liver function test, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and electrolytes were normal.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed minimal changes of reflux esophagitis, erosive gastritis, and extrinsic compression of lower esophagus. Her chest x-ray (Figure 1) showed a 5x4 cm sized round retrocardiac mass with sharp margin. Chest CT was ordered to evaluate the lung mass and it revealed that acutely angulated lower thoracic aorta which crossed from left to right above the left diaphragm (Figure 2). After treatment with a proton pump inhibitor and a gastrointestinal pro-motility agent, her symptoms gradually decreased. Follow-up CT after 2 years shows saccular dilatation of the transverse area of thoracic aorta (Figure 2D), however, she has no specific symptoms.

Abnormal vascular structures like a severe tortuous thoracic aorta occasionally can be confused with a lung mass or neoplasm. The most common cause of aortic disease mimicking lung mass on CXR is an aortic aneurysm (1). Some cases have reported an intervention or even an operation being performed. The symptoms of tortuosity of thoracic aorta are varied from asymptomatic to dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea and vomiting (2). Therefore, clinical symptom is not helpful to diagnose the underlying cause. As in this case, chest computed tomography (CT) can be beneficial for the differential diagnosis between vascular lesion and lung mass. Chest CT also gives additional information for communication of the aneurysm with the aorta, relationship of vascular structure to mediastinal organs. In children, Loeys-Dietz syndrome or arterial tortuosity syndrome should be considered (3). If aortic aneurysm or tortuosity of aorta is diagnosed as a cause in older age, close observation should be performed because of the possibility of progression to aortic aneurysm, dissection or compression of adjacent organs.

Jong Seol Park, MD and Yong Sung Kim, MD, PhD

Department of Internal Medicine

Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital

Gunpo, Korea

References

1. Wixson D, Baltaxe HA, Sos TA. Pitfalls in the plain film evaluation of the thoracic aorta: the mimicry of aneurysms and adjacent masses and the value of aortography. Part I. Transverse aortic arch. Cardiovasc Radiol. 1979 Apr 27;2(2):69-76. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. Badila E, Bartos D, Balahura C, Daraban AM. A rare cause of Dysphagia - Dysphagia aortica - complicated with intravascular disseminated coagulopathy. Maedica (Buchar). 2014 Mar;9(1):83-7. [PubMed]
3. Na KJ, Park KH. Multiple aortic operations in loeys-dietz syndrome: report of 2 cases. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014 Dec;47(6):536-40. [CrossRef] [PubMed] 

Cite as: Park JS, Kim YS. Medical image of the week: tortuosity of thoracic aorta mimicking a lung mass. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;15(2):80-1. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc086-17 PDF 

Medical Image of the Week: Bronchopulmonary Sequestration

Figure 1. A) Chest x-ray PA view demonstrating an oblong soft tissue density in the retrocardiac region overlying the medical aspect of the left hemidiaphragm. B) Chest x-ray lateral view demonstrating the same opacity anterior to a lower thoracic vertebral body, suspicious for a lung mass.

Figure 2. Chest computed tomography A) axial and B) coronal sections demonstrating a lobulated, cystic structure within the left lower lobe with a feeding artery off the aorta, consistent with a pulmonary sequestration.

A 49-year-old woman was incidentally found to have a lung mass on a pre-operative chest x-ray done prior to an elective cholecystectomy (Figure 1). Chest computed tomography, ordered to further characterize this mass revealed a left lower lobe lobulated, cystic opacity with a feeding artery from the aorta, consistent with bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) (Figure 2). Given that she has not had any complications of BPS we elected to manage her conservatively with observation.

BPS is a rare congenital malformation of the lower airways characterized by abnormal lung tissue that does not communicate with the tracheobronchial tree and receives its blood supply from the systemic circulation (1). Our patient’s BPS was intralobar in location, occurring within a normal lobe but lacking its own visceral pleura. The posterior basal left lower lobe is the most common intralobar location. Among cases that escape clinical detection in infancy, BPS comes to light in childhood or adulthood as either an incidental radiographic finding or as a symptomatic presentation of a lung infection. While surgical resection is generally considered to be the treatment of choice given the risk of developing infection, hemorrhage or malignancy (2), some asymptomatic adults with BPS may be managed conservatively with observation with serial imaging (3).

Udit Chaddha MD¹, Niusha Damaghi MD¹, Ashley Prosper MD², and Ching-Fei Chang MD¹

¹Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and ²Department of Radiology

Keck School of Medicine

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA USA

References

1. Biyyam DR, Chapman T, Ferguson MR, Deutsch G, Dighe MK. Congenital lung abnormalities: embryologic features, prenatal diagnosis, and postnatal radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics. 2010 Oct;30(6):1721-38. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. Azizkhan RG, Crombleholme TM. Congenital cystic lung disease: contemporary antenatal and postnatal management. Pediatr Surg Int. 2008 Jun;24(6):643-57. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. Stanton M, Njere I, Ade-Ajayi N, Patel S, Davenport M. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the postnatal management of congenital cystic lung lesions. J Pediatr Surg. 2009 May;44(5):1027-33. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Cite as: Chaddha U, Damaghi N, Prosper A, Cha C-F. Medical image of the week: bronchopulmonary sequestration. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;14(4):168-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc036-17 PDF

March 2017 Imaging Case of the Month

Courtney M. Tomblinson, MD and Michael B. Gotway, MD

Department of Radiology

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona USA

Clinical History: A 69-year-old man presented with long-standing complaints of dyspnea, progressing to dyspnea at rest, associated with some dysphagia to solids. He also noted symptoms consistent with exertional stertor (a respiratory sound characterized by heavy snoring or gasping). His past medical history was remarkable only for hypertension controlled with medication.

Laboratory data, include white blood cell count, coagulation profile, and serum chemistries were within normal limits. Oxygen saturation on room air was normal.

Frontal chest radiography (Figure 1) was performed.

Figure 1: Frontal chest radiography.

Which of the following statements regarding the chest radiograph is most accurate? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of nine pages)

1. Frontal chest radiography shows a cavitary lung mass
2. Frontal chest radiography shows an abnormal mediastinal contour
3. Frontal chest radiography shows multiple small nodules
4. Frontal chest radiography shows peribronchial and mediastinal lymphadenopathy
5. Frontal chest radiography shows pleural effusion

Cite as: Tomblinson CM, Gotway MB. March 2017 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;14(3):104-16. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc029-17 PDF 

Medical Image of the Week: Evolution of Low Grade Adenocarcinoma

Figure 1. Coned down chest CT images. Panels a-d: small ground glass focus in the right upper lobe demonstrating slow growth over a period of 10 years (yellow arrows) and gradual development of a soft tissue component (red arrows).

Ground glass lesions above 5 mm in greatest diameter found on chest computed tomography (CT) require initial followed up in 3 months according to the Fleischner Society Guidelines, to exclude a transient inflammatory focus (1). If persistent, surveillance for at least 24 months to confirm stability is recommended. Any change in size or density should warrant further action, ideally surgical consultation, given the suboptimal yield of percutaneous biopsy and risk of inappropriate staging if the whole lesion is not examined. This may result in the inability to recognize the transition from in-situ adenocarcinoma into minimally invasive or invasive lesions, which in turn results in inaccurate staging and prognosis.

Diana Palacio MD, Berndt Schmit MD, and Veronica Arteaga MD

Department of Medical Imaging

Banner-University Medical Center Tucson

Tucson, AZ USA

Reference

1. MacMahon H, Austin JH, Gamsu G, Herold CJ, Jett JR, Naidich DP, Patz EF Jr, Swensen SJ; Fleischner Society. Guidelines for management of small pulmonary nodules detected on CT scans: a statement from the Fleischner Society. Radiology. 2005 Nov;237(2):395-400. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Cite as: Palacio D, Schmit B, Arteaga V. Medical image of the week: evolution of low grade adenocarcinoma. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;14(3):103. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc026-17 PDF 

January 2017 Imaging Case of the Month

Michael B. Gotway, MD 

Department of Radiology

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ USA

Clinical History: A 35-year-old woman presented with complaints of increasing shortness of breath and a non-productive cough. She had no significant past medical history.

Laboratory data, including a white blood cell count, coagulation profile, and serum chemistries, were within normal limits. Oxygen saturation on room air was normal.

Frontal and lateral chest radiographs (Figure 1) were performed.

Figure 1. Frontal (A) and lateral (B) chest radiography.

Which of the following statements regarding the chest radiograph is most accurate? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of seven pages)

1. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows abnormal mediastinal contours
2. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows basal reticulation suggesting possible fibrotic disease
3. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows multifocal pleural thickening
4. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows numerous small nodules
5. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows upper lobe, bilateral perihilar masses

Cite as: Gotway MB. January 2017 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;14(1):16-23. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc001-17 PDF

December 2016 Imaging Case of the Month

Eric A. Jensen, MD

Michael B. Gotway, MD 

Department of Radiology

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ USA

Imaging Case of the Month CME Information  

Members of the Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and California Thoracic Societies and the Mayo Clinic are able to receive  0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Completion of an evaluation form is required to receive credit and a link is provided on the last panel of the activity.

0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Estimated time to complete this activity: 0.25 hours

Lead Author(s): Eric A. Jensen, MD. All Faculty, CME Planning Committee Members, and the CME Office Reviewers have disclosed that they do not have any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity. 

Learning Objectives:
As a result of this activity I will be better able to:    

1. Correctly interpret and identify clinical practices supported by the highest quality available evidence.
2. Will be better able to establsh the optimal evaluation leading to a correct diagnosis for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep disorders.
3. Will improve the translation of the most current clinical information into the delivery of high quality care for patients.
4. Will integrate new treatment options in discussing available treatment alternatives for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep related disorders.

Learning Format: Case-based, interactive online course, including mandatory assessment questions (number of questions varies by case). Please also read the Technical Requirements.

CME Sponsor: University of Arizona College of Medicine at the Arizona Health Sciences Center.

Current Approval Period: January 1, 2015-December 31, 2016

Clinical History: A 47-year-old woman presented for medical evaluation prior to trans-sphenoid hypophysectomy for pituitary adenoma for Cushing syndrome. The patient had an extensive past medical history, including kidney minimal change disease treated with corticosteroids between 5-7 years previously (no longer on corticosteroid therapy), type II diabetes mellitus, focal segmental glomeruloscleroosis on renal biopsy, morbid obesity, gout, obstructive sleep apnea on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) supplemented with oxygen for the previous 8 years, hypertension, and recent-onset atrial fibrillation, as well as a history of several pneumonias, perhaps related to chronic immunosuppression. Her past surgical history included bilateral partial knee replacement, lower extremity vein ablation, and breast reduction. Her medication list was extensive, including allopurinol, anti-hypertensives, anti-depressants, colchicine, oxygen, and Tacrolimus, among others, including over-the-counter medications.

Laboratory data, include white blood cell count, coagulation profile, and serum chemistries were within normal limits. Oxygen saturation on room air was 95%.

Frontal and lateral chest radiographs (Figure 1) were performed. A previous chest radiograph performed 2 years earlier is presented for comparison (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Frontal (A) and lateral (B) chest radiography.

Figure 2.  Frontal chest radiography performed 2 years prior to presentation.

Which of the following statements regarding the chest radiograph is most accurate? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of seven pages)

1. Frontal and lateral chest radiography appears normal
2. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows a mass projected over the right paratracheal region
3. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows asymmetric hyperlucency affecting the right thorax
4. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows basal reticulation suggesting possible fibrotic disease
5. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows cardiomegaly only, but is unchanged from prior

Cite as: Jensen EA, Gotway MB. December 2016 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2016;13(6):290-301. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc135-16 PDF 

November 2016 Imaging Case of the Month

Michael B. Gotway, MD

Department of Radiology

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona USA

Imaging Case of the Month CME Information  

Members of the Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and California Thoracic Societies and the Mayo Clinic are able to receive  0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Completion of an evaluation form is required to receive credit and a link is provided on the last panel of the activity.

0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Estimated time to complete this activity: 0.25 hours

Lead Author(s): Michael B. Gotway, MD. All Faculty, CME Planning Committee Members, and the CME Office Reviewers have disclosed that they do not have any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity. 

Learning Objectives:
As a result of this activity I will be better able to:    

1. Correctly interpret and identify clinical practices supported by the highest quality available evidence.
2. Will be better able to establsh the optimal evaluation leading to a correct diagnosis for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep disorders.
3. Will improve the translation of the most current clinical information into the delivery of high quality care for patients.
4. Will integrate new treatment options in discussing available treatment alternatives for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep related disorders.

Learning Format: Case-based, interactive online course, including mandatory assessment questions (number of questions varies by case). Please also read the Technical Requirements.

CME Sponsor: University of Arizona College of Medicine at the Arizona Health Sciences Center.

Current Approval Period: January 1, 2015-December 31, 2016

Clinical History: A 38-year-old man presented to his primary care physician with complaints of pruritus, jaundice, and poor appetite. The patient had been diagnosed with hypertension one year earlier and was treated with hydrochlorothiazide and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, but evidently did not tolerate the regimen well, and developed “tea-colored” urine following initiation of this therapy. He was also recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and also complained of intermittent right upper quadrant pain.

Laboratory data, including white blood cell count and serum chemistries were within normal limits. Oxygen saturation on room air was 99%.

Frontal and lateral chest radiographs (Figure 1) were performed.

Figure 1. Frontal (A) and lateral (B) chest radiography.

Which of the following statements regarding the chest radiograph is most accurate? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of seven pages)

1. Frontal and lateral chest radiography appears normal
2. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows a focal, poorly defined right base opacity
3. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows bilateral peribronchial and mediastinal lymph node enlargement
4. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows cardiomegaly
5. Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows upper lobe bilateral linear and reticular abnormalities

Cite as: Gotway MB. November 2016 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2016;13(5):207-15. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc112-16 PDF 

Medical Image of the Week: Bochdalek Hernia

Figure 1. PA (A) and lateral (B) chest radiograph demonstrating a lobulated homogenous opacity in the  posterior left lung base-blue arrows.

Figure 2. Chest CT (axial image) demonstrating fat-containing opacity consistent with a Bochdalek hernia- red arrow.

A 61 year-old man presented for an evaluation of a nonproductive cough. He has a history of well-controlled asthma, allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis, hypertension, gastro-esophageal reflux and obstructive sleep apnea. The ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension was discontinued. The physical exam was unremarkable. Pulmonary function testing was normal.

A PA and lateral chest radiograph was performed and revealed an abnormal contour of the left hemidiaphragm with a large lobulated opacity (Figure 1- blue arrows). Computed chest tomography revealed the lobulated opacity in the left lower lobe contained fat and was consistent with a Bochdalek hernia (Figure 2).

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a major malformation in newborns and in the perinatal period. The diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in adults is rare. There are three types of congenital diaphragmatic hernias: posterolateral (Bochdalek) diaphragmatic hernia, subcostosternal (Morgagni) hernia and esophageal hiatal hernia. The Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia is the result of a congenital diaphragmatic defect in the posterior costal part of the diaphragm in the region of 10th and 11th ribs, which allows free communication between the thoracic and abdominal cavity. The defect is usually found at the left side (90%) but may occur on the right side, where the liver often prevents detection.

A review of 173 adult patients with Bochdalek hernias revealed several important features:  55% of patients were male with an average age of 40 years, the hernia defect was located on the left side in 78% of patients and most patients were symptomatic (1,2). The most common presenting symptoms were pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen and obstruction. Pulmonary symptoms occurred in 37% of patients in this review. Of note, patients with Bochdalek hernias can develop symptoms precipitated by factors that increase intra-abdominal pressure and failure to promptly treat a symptomatic Bochdalek hernia may lead to bowel strangulation. A chest CT is an excellent diagnostic study, as a Bochdalek hernia can be difficult to appreciate on a chest radiograph (3).

Management of a Bochdalek hernia includes reducing the abdominal contents and repairing the defect through a laparotomy or thoracotomy. Successful laparoscopic and thoracoscopic repairs of Bochdalek hernias have both been described.

Muna Omar, M.D. and Linda Snyder, M.D.

Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Medicine

Banner University Medical Center-Tucson

Tucson, AZ USA

References

1. Brown SR, Horton JD, Trivette E, Hofmann LJ, Johnson JM. Bochdalek hernia in the adult: demographics, presentation, and surgical management. Hernia. 2011 Feb;15(1):23-30. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. Bianchi E, Mancini P, De Vito S, Pompili E, Taurone S, Guerrisi I, Guerrisi A, D'Andrea V, Cantisani V, Artico M. Congenital asymptomatic diaphragmatic hernias in adults: a case series. J Med Case Rep. 2013 May 13;7:125. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. Sandstrom CK, Stern EJ. Diaphragmatic hernias: a spectrum of radiographic appearances. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. 2011 May-Jun;40(3):95-115. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Cite as: Omar M, Snyder L. Medical image of the week: Bochdalek hernia. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2016 Jun;12(6):203-4. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc031-16 PDF