Hyperlucent lung was observed in early stages of FBA, while atelectasis or consolidation indicated a fairly advanced stage.
The chest radiograph of patients with UAPA typically shows asymmetric lung fields, with an ipsilateral small hemithorax holding a
hyperlucent lung. (1,7)
The presence of a mass at the apex of a triangular
hyperlucent lung parenchyma (as seen in our case, Figure 1) is highly suggestive of BA although nonpathognomonic.
Chest radiographic signs include a unilateral
hyperlucent lung field with collapse of the lung, tracheal deviation and mediastinal displacement (see Figure 4) (Ho & Gutierrez 2009).
The differential diagnosis on chest radiograph includes unilateral agenesis or extrinsic pulmonary artery occlusion from tumor, pulmonary embolism, bronchial obstruction (central or extrinsic) causing compensatory emphysema, bronchial atresia, pseudo hyperlucent lung in patients after mastectomy, absence or atrophy of pectoral muscles, and shoulder girdle.
On the contrary, in unilateral agenesis of the pulmonary artery, the hilar shadow is absent and there is contralateral hyperlucent lung. (4) CT imaging is the diagnostic modality of choice as it can confirm the diagnosis and exclude other diagnostic possibilities.
* Swyer-James Macleod syndrome is a rare acquired cause of unilateral hyperlucent lung.
Because of the decreased parenchymal perfusion, this syndrome is often mentioned as translucent or
hyperlucent lung (5,6).
Swyer-James syndrome (unilateral hyperlucent lung) in children.
Utility of ventilation and perfusion scan in the diagnosis of young military recruits with an incidental finding of hyperlucent lung. Nucl Med Commun 2001;22:525-30.
(5) Patients can be completely asymptomatic with
hyperlucent lung field being an incidental finding on the chest radiograph taken for other indications.
Chest radiograph showed
hyperlucent lungs with atelectatic bands in both lower zones and blunting of the right costophrenic angle.
