Chest Radiology

Chest Radiology > Pathology > Pleural Effusion > Mastectomy

Mastectomy

One must carefully examine the soft tissues. The patient below has had a mastectomy. The hemithoraces are asymmetric in density. The finding of a mastectomy should also make you look even closer at the bones and lungs for metastases.

PA and Lateral exams of a patient post left mastectomy

This case shows the importance of examining the soft tissues carefully. At first, it may appear that the asymmetry in density between the two hemithoraces is caused by a left pleural effusion, giving the appearance of a graded density. A closer look reveals that the asymmetry is due to the removal of the left breast.