Aldridge - Chest X-Ray

Question 1

Thin white stripe below the clavicles at the right edge of the trachea

Created by air of low density on either side of trachea wall

Normally less than 3mm thick, thickening can mean mass or enlarged lymph node

Left side is not well defineed due to arch of aorta

Answer 1

Right para-tracheal stripe

Question 2

ABCDEF System for viewing chest x ray

Answer 2

Airway
Bones and soft tissue
Cardiac and mediastinum
Diaphragm
Effusions
Fields (lungs)

Question 3

A normal cardio-thoracic ratio is _____ in adults in a standard PA radiograph w/ adequate inspiration

Answer 3

Less than 50%

Question 4

Blunted angles in the costophrenic angles may indicate:

Answer 4

Pleural effusions

Question 5

The lucent area between the sternum and ascending aorta/ heart.

Can become opacified when an anterior mediastinal mass is present

Answer 5

Retrosternal space

Question 6

Posterior to the posterior heart border, can become opacified or decreased w/ enlargement of either chamber of the heart

Answer 6

Retrocardiac space

Question 7

Key CT scan levels (6)

Answer 7

Five-vessel level

Aortic arch level

Aortopulmonary window level

Main pulmonary artery level

High cardiac level

Low cardiac level