Tension hydrothorax: roentgenographic characteristics and pathogenetic consideration.

We have described a 24-year-old diabetic woman with rapidly developing left-sided tension hydrothorax. The pleural effusion was characterized by high contents of protein and glucose. The chest roentgenogram exhibited massive pleural effusion, prominent air bronchograms, mediastinal shift, and diaphragmatic inversion. Prompt thoracocentesis proved to be life-saving.