Pseudo-hemothorax at computed tomography due to residual contrast media.
Pleural effusion is a clinical problem that has many causes, with hemothorax being one of them. Computed tomography readily characterizes pleural fluid with determination of the attenuation value, helping to distinguish hemothorax from other types of effusion. Herein, we report the case of a 67-year-old man with end-stage renal disease in which a high-density pleural effusion due to residual contrast media was misinterpreted as hemothorax. Radiologists should consider the possibility of contrast media retention when interpreting a high-density pleural effusion in patients with end-stage renal disease. Recognition of this entity is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis, which might lead to unnecessary testing or procedures.
['Romero|Matías|M|', 'Bächler|Pablo|P|']
D000368:Aged D003287:Contrast Media D003937:Diagnosis, Differential D006491:Hemothorax D006801:Humans D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic D008297:Male D010996:Pleural Effusion D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Computed tomography Contrast Media Pleural effusion Hemothorax Chronic kidney failure Differential diagnosis