MediAI

  Clinical Case Study: Postoperative Respiratory Distress and Radiological Diagnosis Introduction In the field of thoracic radiology and emergency medicine, the acute onset of respiratory distress following vascular intervention presents a significant diagnostic challenge. Understanding the nuances between atelectasis , hemothorax , and mediastinal hematoma is critical for timely intervention. This article provides an in-depth exploration of Right Upper Lobe (RUL) collapse in the context of bilateral pleural effusions , based on a recent clinical case of a 39-year-old female patient. Pathophysiology of Right Upper Lobe Collapse Right upper lobe collapse , or RUL atelectasis , occurs when there is a loss of volume in the superior portion of the right lung. The pathophysiology is primarily driven by the obstruction of the right upper lobe bronchus. In an acute setting, this is often caused by mucus plugging , especially postoperatively, or by intrinsic/extrinsic compression fro...