A
woman who is a heavy smoker develops new-onset coughing and
hemoptysis.
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down for Hint and Answer
***** HINT *****
Look for the horizontal fissure.
***** ANSWER *****
Right upper lobe collapse caused by bronchogenic carcinoma: In right upper lobe
collapse, the horizontal fissure extends upward and superiorly toward the
mediastinum. The oblique fissure extends anteriorly and superiorly. Both
fissures become concave, a feature that is best observed on a lateral chest
radiograph. The hilum is elevated, and the trachea deviates to the right. If an
endobronchial tumor is the cause of collapse, the horizontal fissure has an S
configuration on the frontal chest radiograph.
