Chest

Question 1

Why is a new L) or R)UL consolidation/collapse important?

Answer 1

It often represents a new tumour, should get a CT chest
ICU patients and asthmatics are the exception due to higher chance of mucous plus

Question 2

What does a perfectly straight line at an interface usually represent?

Answer 2

An air fluid interface (ie hydropneumothorax)
or fluid-fluid interface (ie hydro/chylothorax)

Question 3

What does the deep sulcus sign represent?

Answer 3

A posterior pneumothorax usually in a supine patient (ie trauma CXR)

Question 4

What does the meniscus sign represent?

Answer 4

A pleural effusion or other fluid in the pleural space

Question 5

What does a misshapen or highly overt meniscus sign represent?

Answer 5

An odd looking meniscus sign can represent an empyema due to fibrosis and tracking of infection

Question 6

What does the continuous diaphragm sign represent (able to discretely see the diaphragm below the heart)?

Answer 6

This can represent pneumomediastinum/pericardium if lucency is above the ddiaphragm, and pneumoperitoneum if it is below

Question 7

What does a continuous diaphragm sign + pleural effusion(s) likely represent?

Answer 7

This can represent a ruptured oesophagus (stomach contents in pleural spaces and mediastinum)

Question 8

What is the difference between an arterial/aortic aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm

Answer 8

An aneurysm represents bulging of the walls, whereas a pseudoaneurysm is a contained rupture near the vessel, these may look similar on contrast studies/ultrasound

Question 9

How does the thymus typically appear on a chest xray in kids?

Answer 9

• Triangular sale frequently towards the R) of the mediastinum
• Relatively large in infancy, grows considerably in neonates, largest weight in adolescence
• Two lobes, often assymetric, cab be separated by a 3rd intermediate lobe
• Often sicks in the neck/upper chest (thyroid gland to 4th ICS)