Deep sulcus sign 5748600 202970558 2008-04-03T03:57:59Z Radmandu 6775023 In [[radiology]], the '''deep sulcus sign''' on a supine chest radiograph, or [[x-ray]], is an indication of a [[pneumothorax]].<ref>Gordon R. The deep sulcus sign. Radiology. 1980 Jul;136(1):25-7. PMID 7384513.</ref> <ref>Kong A. The deep sulcus sign. Radiology. 2003 Aug;228(2):415-6. PMID 12893899. [http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/228/2/415 Free Full Text].</ref> In a [[Supine position|supine]] film (common in the [[intensive care unit|ICU]]), it may be the only indication of a pneumothorax because [[air]] collects anteriorly and basally, within the nondependent portions of the pleural space as opposed to the [[Apex (geometry)|apex]] (of the [[lung]]) when the patient is upright. The costophrenic angle is abnormally deepened when the pleural air collects laterally, producing the deep sulcus sign. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may exhbit deepened lateral costophrnic angles due to hyperaeration of the lungs and cause a false deep sulcus sign. == See also == *[[Terms for anatomical location]] ==References== <references/> ==External links== *[http://www.learningradiology.com/images/caseoftheweekimages/cowgallerypages/cow92.html Deep sulcus sign] - learningradiology.com. *[http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/content/vol228/issue2/images/large/r03au32g1x.jpeg X-ray showing the deep sulcus sign] - the journal ''Radiology''. [[Category:Radiology]] [[Category:Radiologic signs]]