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Hampton's Hump is a radiological sign often associated with pulmonary embolism, a condition characterized by a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. Named after American radiologist Aubrey Otis Hampton, the Hampton's Hump is a wedge-shaped opacity in the periphery of the lung field, typically seen on a chest radiograph or computed tomography (CT) scan.

History

The Hampton's Hump was first described by Aubrey Otis Hampton in 1940. Hampton was a radiologist at the Mayo Clinic who specialized in thoracic imaging. He identified the characteristic wedge-shaped opacity in patients with pulmonary embolism, and this finding was subsequently named in his honor.

Clinical Significance

The Hampton's Hump is a significant finding in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. It represents an area of lung infarction, or tissue death due to lack of blood supply, caused by the embolism. However, it is not always present in cases of pulmonary embolism, and its absence does not rule out the condition. Other imaging findings, such as the Westermark sign or a D-dimer test, may also be used in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Appearance

On a chest radiograph or CT scan, the Hampton's Hump appears as a rounded, wedge-shaped opacity at the periphery of the lung field. The base of the wedge is typically oriented towards the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the lungs. The opacity is usually well-defined and may be associated with pleural effusion, or excess fluid between the layers of the pleura.

Limitations

While the Hampton's Hump is a classic sign of pulmonary embolism, it is not always present in patients with this condition. It is more commonly seen in large, occlusive emboli and may not be visible in cases of small, non-occlusive emboli. Additionally, the Hampton's Hump may not be visible until several days after the onset of symptoms, limiting its usefulness in the acute setting.

See Also

• Pulmonary embolism
• Chest radiograph
• Computed tomography
• Westermark sign
• D-dimer

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