Unilateral hyperlucent lung (Swyer-James syndrome) after severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

An 11-year-old girl contracted pneumonia with consolidation of the left lower lobe, infiltrates in the lingula and left upper lobe, and a large left pleural effusion, accompanied by a Mycoplasma complement-fixation titer increasing to 1:16,384. Serial chest radiographs demonstrated resolution of the pneumonia and effusion, followed by development of a hyperlucent left lower lobe. This diagnosis was supported by abnormalities discovered by chest cinefluoroscopic examination and lung scans of ventilation and perfusion. Unilateral hyperlucent lung should be considered as a possible sequel to severe Mycoplasma pulmonary infection.