Submitted by Dr Tang Kam Shing on 17 August 2009; ICU, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong
The patient was a 55-year-old man with known history of COPD. He was admitted to ICU for type II failure requiring intubation. Right pneumothorax was noted and chest drain was inserted. USG of right chest was done and showed this picture. What is the abnormality shown?
Answer: This is the pattern of surgical emphysema. The Bat-wing sign of pleural surface cannot be seen. Only a vague line that represents the tissue-air interface is seen.