20. Imaging of the Thorax Flashcards
What is the best way to image a fractured rib and what can often be seen?
Hard via X-ray, better to see in CT. Hematoma commonly seen at fracture site. Usually at ribs 4-10. Can be associated with pneumothorax, hemothorax, and injuries to spleen liver and kidney
What is the common cause of spontaneous pneumothorax and how does it happen?
Occurs by rupture of alveoli through visceral pleura so air leaks into pleural cavity = collapsed lung. Caused by disease processes such as COPD, smoking, CF, and apical bleb
What will a collapsed lung look like on x-ray?
Will not be dark d/t no air in aleveoli, commonly seen as white mass
Tension pneumothorax is due to trama where injury fails to seal or positive pressure ventilation particularly during resuscitation. What occurs during tension pneumothoax?
Air enters thorax and cannot exit, lungs collapse and also impairs venous return that can lead to cardiac arrest
What is pulmonary meniscus sign?
a meniscus found on the surface of the fluid, commonly seen in the costodiaphragmatic recess. also seen with PLEURAL EFFUSION
What is the meniscus due to?
Tension between two differen fluids in the pleural cavity (normal and pleural effusion) must be removed
What is a solitary, round cirucmscribed shadow on xray, which may be calcified and the patient may be asymptomatic? What causes this?
Coin sign (1cm-5cm)
Caused by tuberculosis, neoplasms, cysts, and vascular anomalies (leads to scarring/thickening of CT = coins)
What are the KErley A lines and what do they mean?
A lines are diagnol lines running from the hilum to the periphery (superior). Caused by lymphatic systen being dialted leading to dense aggregation of connective tissue
What are Kerley B lines and causes?
Short PARALLEL lines at periphery, perpendicular to pleura near diaphragm. caused by pulmonary edema, lymphoma and cancers and pneumonia
What are some causes of cardiac tamponade? Which is fluid buildupwithin the pericardial cavity (4)
Neoplams, pericarditis, eeffusion due to renal failure, and trauma
What are some symptoms of cardiac tamponade, also called Beck’s triad? (4)
Distant heart sounds
Jugular distension
Hypotension (low bp)
Signs of SHOCK
What are cardiac angiograms used for?
Catheters are placed in the left and right coronary arteries, and you are able to see them perfectly and the branches
How is a normal aortogram (DSA=digital subtractive angiogram) performed?
1.an image is taken
2. contrast is added
3. another image is taken
4. the images are substracted
you are then able to see the great vasuclature
An echocardiography (doppler) is performed on an adult heart using a probe on the anterior skin. Heart apex is up in the figures, what does the red and blue indicate?
Red indicates flow toward the probe
Blue indiciates flow away from the probe
So you are able to see if there is proper blood flow in the heart :) ***can tell speed and direction of blood flow
