These chest x-rays are from a 20 year old female asthmatic patient who has presented with a moderate to severe asthma exacerbation. What can you see?

 

 

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The PA chest x-ray shows some patchy consolidation in the lingular segment of the left lung. On close inspection, there is a linear lucency along the left heart border and trachea.

The lateral view shows the pneumomediastinum clearly, with air outlining the anterior and posterior surfaces of the heart and extending around the hila and aorta.

The patient was admitted and was subsequently discharged a few days later with an improvement in her condition following conservative management of her asthma.

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