Unilateral hyperlucent lung may be the result of Swyer-James syndrome, pneumothorax, obstructive emphysema, or pulmonary embolism.
Hyperlucency is typically the result of alveolar distention (air retention) and/or reduced arterial flow. Swyer-James syndrome is a manifestation of postinfectious obliterative bronchiolitis that is found in children.
On chest radiographs, the ipsilateral lung is hyperlucent and overexpanded (shown, left lung), compared to the contralateral lung, which is smaller (shown, right lung).
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