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Case 103

Postoperative dyspnoea and nausea

Dr Omar Bashir

A 50 year old man underwent an above-knee amputation to remove his gangrenous leg. He developed nausea and dyspneoa on the 4th postoperative day. On examination he had tachypnoea and tachycardia, but was apyrexic. On chest auscultation air entry was reduced bilaterally at the lung bases. The abdomen, though distended, was not tender and the bowel sounds were audible. Digital rectal examination was unremarkable. A chest radiograph was requested; comment on its findings.