right middle lobe consolidation
Right middle lobe consolidation refers to consolidation in part (incomplete) or all (complete) of the right middle lobe.
Pathology
Consolidation refers to the alveolar airspaces being filled with fluid (exudate/transudate/blood), cells (inflammatory), tissue, or other material.
The list of causes of consolidation is broad and includes:
- pneumonia
- adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- interstitial pneumonias
- pneumonitis
- sarcoidosis
Radiographic features
Consolidation is usually obvious on CT with the anatomical location easy to define through visualization of the pleural fissures, however features can be subtle on chest radiography.
Plain radiograph
Features of right middle lobe consolidation on CXR include:
- opacification of the right lower zone, that may abut and outline the inferior margin of the horizontal fissure
- indistinct appearance or obscuration of the right heart border (silhouette sign) (c.f. right lower lobe consolidation)
- normal (clear and distinct) right superior mediastinal contour (c.f. right upper lobe consolidation)
- normal (clear and distinct) right hemidiaphragm contour (c.f. right lower lobe consolidation)
- occasionally there may be obscuration of the medial aspect of the right hemidiaphragm
- air bronchograms
- on lateral CXR: triangular opacification between the horizontal (superiorly) and right oblique fissures (posteriorly)
General considerations
It must be remembered that the homogeneity of the consolidation will be influenced by any underlying lung disease.
Occasionally with complete lobar consolidation, there may be an increased volume of the affected lobe, rather than the more frequent collapse. When the fissures are outwardly convex, the appearance is referred to as the bulging fissure sign.
A mnemonic to remember the general features of consolidation is ABC.
Differential diagnosis
- pectus excavatum can cause loss of the right heart border
- middle lobe collapse will show signs of volume loss
Siehe auch:
- Bronchopneumogramm
- Mittellappenatelektase
- Atelektase
- Lungenödem
- Sarkoidose
- acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- bulging fissure sign
- interstitial pneumonias
- A2BC3
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu right middle lobe consolidation:
