Tracheal shift to right on X-ray chest PA view

Tracheal air column is seen shifted to right on X-ray chest PA view. It indicates a loss of volume of the right upper lobe of the lung, either due to collapse or fibrosis. Tracheal can also be pushed to the right due to a massive pleural effusion on the left side. But no pleural effusion is seen on the left side.

1. Pleural effusion – left
2. Tracheal shift to right due to thyroid swelling
3. Massive pleural effusion
4. Minimal pleural effusion