Hampton hump

Hampton hump is a radiological sign often associated with pulmonary embolism. It is named after Aubrey Otis Hampton, an American radiologist who first described the sign in 1940. The Hampton hump is a rounded pleural-based opacity in the lung periphery representing hemorrhagic pulmonary infarction.

Definition

The Hampton hump is a radiological sign seen on a chest radiograph or computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. It is a rounded pleural-based opacity, often in the shape of a dome or hump, located in the periphery of the lung. This sign is typically associated with pulmonary embolism, a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot.

Clinical Significance

The presence of a Hampton hump on imaging can be a significant clue to the diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism. However, it is not always present in patients with this condition, and its absence does not rule out the diagnosis. The Hampton hump is more likely to be seen in patients with large or multiple emboli, and it typically appears several days after the onset of symptoms.

History

The Hampton hump is named after Aubrey Otis Hampton, an American radiologist who first described the sign in 1940. Hampton observed this characteristic finding in a series of patients with pulmonary embolism and recognized its diagnostic significance.

See Also

• Pulmonary embolism
• Chest radiograph
• Computed tomography (CT)

References

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