Sail sign of the chest explained

Differential:left lower lobe collapse

On a chest X-ray, the sail sign is a radiologic sign that suggests left lower lobe collapse.[1] In children, however, a sail sign could be normal, reflecting the shadow of the thymus.[2]

The thymic sail sign or spinnaker-sail sign is due to elevation of the thymic lobes in the setting of pneumomediastinum.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Bejvan S, Godwin J . Pneumomediastinum: old signs and new signs. . AJR Am J Roentgenol . 166 . 5 . 1041–8 . 1996 . 8615238 . 10.2214/ajr.166.5.8615238.
  2. Web site: THYMIC SAIL SIGN. www.mypacs.net.
  3. http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/20/4/1043.full "Pneumomediastinum Revisited" July 2000 RadioGraphics, 20, 1043-1057

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