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Not all abolished lung sliding are pneumothorax: the case of a particular lung atelectasis

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Abstract

Introduction

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is expanding from the field of emergency medicine, also to the pneumological specialist field, becoming part of the diagnostic procedure of lung consolidation.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old male was admitted to our emergency department for exertional dyspnea. LUS was performed, thus showing at right hemitorax air interface, A lines pattern, pleural sliding abolished on the whole hemitorax, thus suggesting a pneumothorax, but no evidence of lung point. A scan of lower lung segment showed an absence of the diaphragmatic excursion, suggestive for hemiparalysis of the diaphragm muscle, then confirmed by a subcostal scan. Moreover, at the lower segment of right hemitorax there was mild pleural effusion allowing the visualization of a round-shaped parenchymal consolidation with the absence of air bronchograms.

Conclusions

LUS allowed the visualization of a particular and rare disease such as anthracosis-associated rounded atelectasis, thus leading to a more correct and faster patient management.

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Data availability

The dataset supporting the conclusions of this article is included within the article (and its additional file).

Abbreviations

LUS:

Lung ultrasound

CT:

Computed tomography

PNX:

Pneumothorax

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Acknowledgements

Noemi Dell’Orso for editorial assistance.

Funding

None (for all authors).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Ultrasound in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, “G. d’Annunzio” University, Chieti, Italy

    A. Boccatonda, G. Cocco, D. D’Ardes & C. Schiavone

  2. Pneumology Department, SS Annunziata Hospital, Chieti, Italy

    G. Primomo & S. Marinari

  3. Emergency Department, Infermi Hospital, Rimini, Italy

    M. Montanari

  4. Emergency Department, Murri Hospital, Fermo, Italy

    F. Giostra

Authors
  1. A. Boccatonda
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  2. G. Primomo
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  3. G. Cocco
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  4. D. D’Ardes
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  5. S. Marinari
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  6. M. Montanari
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  7. F. Giostra
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  8. C. Schiavone
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Correspondence to A. Boccatonda.

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Boccatonda, A., Primomo, G., Cocco, G. et al. Not all abolished lung sliding are pneumothorax: the case of a particular lung atelectasis. J Ultrasound 24, 519–523 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-020-00427-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-020-00427-0

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