Purpose or Case Report: 1. To discuss etiologies of unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax in children.
2. To discuss radiographic and cross-sectional imaging features of various conditions leading to unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax.
Methods & Materials: Etiologies of unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax; Radiographic and cross-sectional imaging findings of
various conditions leading to unilateral hyperlucency in the lungs including but not limited to chest wall
conditions such as scoliosis, mastectomy, poland syndrome; Vascular conditions such as pulmonary
agenesis, pulmonary hypoplasia, scimitar syndrome, unilateral massive central pulmonary embolism;
Pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities such as atelectasis, pulmonary emphysema,
postpneumonectomy, Sawyer-James syndrome; Airway abnormalities such as foreign body aspiration,
bronchial atresia, congenital lobar emphysema, endobronchial mass, extrinsic bronchial compression;
Mediastinal and pleural space abnormalities such as mediastinal masses, pneumothorax, foregut
malformation, diaphragmatic hernia; Technical factors such as lateral decentering and rotation
Results:
Conclusions: A variety of abnormalities of the chest wall, pulmonary vessels, lung parenchyma, central airways, and
mediastinum can result in unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax in children. Understanding the spectrum of
these conditions and their characteristic imaging findings can permit early and accurate diagnosis, which
in turn can result in optimal patient management.