Chest X-ray Flashcards
What are the causes of cavitating lung lesions?
Abscess (Staph aureus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas)
Squamous cell lung cancer
Tuberculosis
Wegener’s granulomatosis
Pulmonary embolism
Rheumatoid arthritis
Aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis
What are the causes of lobar collapse?
Lung cancer (the most common cause in older adults)
Asthma (due to mucous plugging)
Foreign body
What are the signs of lobar collapse on chest x-ray?
Tracheal deviation towards the side of the collapse
Mediastinal shift towards the side of the collapse
Elevation of the hemidiaphragm
What cancers are lung metastases most commonly seen in?
Breast cancer Colorectal cancer Renal cell cancer Bladder cancer Prostate cancer
What are cannonball metastases and what are they most often seen in?
Round, well-defined lung secondaries
Renal, choriocarcinoma and prostate cancer
Calcification of metastases is often seen
What are the causes of mediastinal widening in chest x-ray?
Patient rotation Vascular problems: thoracic aortic aneurysm Lymphoma Retrosternal goitre Teratoma Tumours of the thymus
In the correct placement of an NG tube, what should be seen on x-ray?
That the end of the tube is below the diaphragm in the stomach.
What are the features of pulmonary oedema seen on a chest x-ray?
- Interstitial oedema
- Bat’s wing appearance
- Upper lobe diversion (blood flow)
- Kerley B lines (expansion of interstitial space by fluid)
- Pleural effusion
- Cardiomegaly may be seen if there is a cardiogenic cause.
What are some causes of white shadowing in the lungs?
Consolidation Pleural effusion Collapse Pneumonectomy Specific lesions e.g. tumours fluid e.g. pulmonary oedema
What are the causes of tracheal deviation towards ‘ white shadowing’ on x-ray?
Pneumonectomy
Complete lung collapse
Pulmonary hypoplasia
What are the causes of tracheal deviation away from ‘ white shadowing’ on x-ray?
Pleural effusion
Diaphragmatic hernia
Large thoracic mass
What are the causes of white shadowing where the trachea will likely remain central?
Consolidation
Pulmonary oedema (usually bilateral)
Mesothelioma
