08.1 Radiology of the Chest

Question 1

What is different in an AP projection?

Answer 1

Heart is magnified
Scapulae aren’t retracted laterally so project over each lung
Lung fields are reduced

Question 2

What does a normal projection contain?

Answer 2

1st rib
Lateral rib margins
Costophrenic angle
Alignment of the spinous process and clavicles
5-7th ribs at the MCL
Vertebrae just visible through the heart
Complete left hemidiaphragm

Question 3

What is the ABC approach to examining a CXR?

Answer 3

Airway - (trachea, bronchi, hila)
Breathing - lung fields, pleural spaces, borders
Circulation - mediastinum, aortic arch, heart borders
Diaphragm - free gas, nodules, hyperinflation
Everything else
Fractures

Question 4

What can a mediastinal shift push be caused by?

Answer 4

Volume/pressure increase

Question 5

What can a mediastinal shift pull be caused by?

Answer 5

Volume/pressure decrease

Question 6

What is consolidation and what can it be caused by?

Answer 6

Filling of the airways or alveoli

Caused by, pus, blood, fluid, cells

Question 7

What is the difference between a nodule and a mass?

Answer 7

Nodule 3cm

Question 8

What is a normal cardiac index?

Answer 8

Ratio of heart width to thoracic width on a PA image must be less than half

Question 9

What is the standard projection direction?

Answer 9

PA