Loculated pneumothorax

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A loculated pneumothorax is a form of pneumothorax where a pocket of pleural air is trapped within a localized area. They may occur in a number of situations including in patients with acute respiratory disease treated with mechanical ventilation and status post pleural aspiration in the context of previous pleural inflammation or pleurodesis.

Differential diagnosis

On a chest radiograph they may be mistaken as a focal subpleural bullous space.

See also

  • interlobar pneumothorax / interfissural pneumothorax