CTICasesHair Braid Artifact
Imaging findings
Frontal and lateral chest radiographs demonstrate bilateral, symmetric upper-lung interstitial-like densities and nodularity that project into the subcutaneous tissues of the neck and shoulders. On lateral view, the lung parenchyma is completely clear, and the density corresponds to hair braids containing styling mousse.
Key takeaways
Hair braids, particularly when thick or treated with styling products (such as mousse or gel containing heavy elements), can create prominent artifacts on chest radiographs. These artifacts project over the upper lung fields and can mimic apical interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, or pulmonary nodules (trichothorax artifact), which are easily excluded by verifying the clear lung parenchyma on a lateral projection.
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