This is the answer page to Case 14 from the page titled What is the Value of the Lateral Chest Projection?

• What is the Value of the Lateral Chest Projection?

This 54 year old female presented to the Emergency Department with a chest infection. She had a recent history of overseas travel. There is no clear evidence of lung disease. The right subdiaphragmatic region was noted to be denser when compared to the left- this can be a very subtle sign of basal lung disease

There is abnormal retrocardiac density demonstrated superimposed over the thoracic spine (arrowed) There is loss of visualisation of the right hemidiaphragm posteriorly (silhouette sign) This patient is likely to have a pneumonic infection resulting in abnormal alveolar opacity