Left upper lobe torsion in pneumothorax.

We report a case of left upper lobe torsion in a patient who had a pneumothorax as a complication of subclavian venous access for an elective neurosurgical operation. Despite appropriate management of the pneumothorax, the patient's chest radiograph did not improve. Computed tomography of the chest was concerning for left upper lobe torsion. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed near complete obstruction of the left upper lobe bronchus. Review of computed tomography imaging before and after bronchoscopy and subsequent thoracotomy confirmed lobar torsion. Consideration of lobar torsion in the differential diagnosis of patients with persistently abnormal chest imaging despite appropriate management after complications of routine procedures is important for early recognition and intervention of a potentially life-threatening problem.