Radiographic appearances claimed to be typical of shrinking pleuritis with atelectasis (SPA) were tested by mingling chest films from 6 SPA patients with those from 56 cancer cases. Two radiologists were asked to interpret the films independently, make a diagnosis, and state what abnormalities could be distinguished. No single abnormality or combination of abnormalities was found to be pathognomonic and the wish to diagnose the SPA cases led to misdiagnosis of cancer in one of 56 cases by each radiologist. To prevent underdiagnosis of cancer, further examinations are required. Careful follow-up of SPA cases, if they are not operated upon, is recommended.
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