The stripe sign in perfusion lung scanning refers to an area of focal
hypoperfusion that fails to extend to the pleural surface, leaving a p
eripheral rim of perfused parenchyma, Although experimental evidence s
uggests that the stripe sign is caused by central pulmonary emphysema,
we report a case of an identical perfusion defect related to a comple
tely collapsed left lower lobe. This etiology should be considered in
the differential diagnosis of the stripe sign.