Left upper lobe torsion following lower lobe resection. Early recognition of a rare complication.

Left upper lobe torsion occurred in a woman during the first 24 hours following left lower lobectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma resection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of left upper lobe torsion. When atypical chest pain or opacification of the remaining lung develops following resectional surgery, torsion of the remaining lung must be suspected. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with pulmonary infarction from torsion.