CTICasesDiaphragmatic Inversion
Imaging findings
Chest CT in a patient post-left pneumonectomy shows a massive accumulation of fluid in the post-pneumonectomy space. This fluid causes a severe, convex-downward displacement (inversion) of the left hemidiaphragm into the upper abdomen, displacing the left kidney and spleen inferiorly. Multiple nodular tumor implants are present on the pleural surfaces, and there is a moderate pericardial effusion.
Key takeaways
Diaphragmatic inversion is a sign of massive, high-pressure pleural fluid (or tension pneumothorax) in the hemithorax, particularly post-pneumonectomy. The diaphragm is pushed inferiorly, losing its normal dome configuration. In patients with cancer, this is often driven by massive malignant pleural effusion from pleural metastases, and requires drainage for symptomatic relief.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Mediastinal LiposarcomaNeoplastic
- Parathyroid AdenomaNeoplastic
- Congenital Absence of the PericardiumCongenital
- Pulmonary TorsionIatrogenic
- Poland SyndromeCongenital
- Saphenous Vein Graft AneurysmIatrogenic
- Septic Arthritis of the Costomanubrial JointInfection
- Hydatid CystInfection
See all cases from November 3, 2017 →