hemidiaphragm paralysis; elevation of one hemidiaphragm

Etiology: 1) phrenic nerve paralysis 2) splinting secondary to: a) pulmonary thromboembolism b) rib fractures 3) subpulmonic pleural effusion* - fluid between the base of the lung & the diaphragm elevates the base of the lung simulating elevation of the diaphragm * Not true elevation of the hemidiaphragm, but appears to be radiographically Radiology: - fluoroscopic SNIFF test

References

Introduction to Clinical Imaging, Radiology Syllabus, UCSF, 1993