Chest X Ray Abnormalities Flashcards
State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of consolidation
Lung tissue becomes firm and solid
CXR - White/grey shadow, no loss of volume
Auscultation - Increased/decreased breath sounds, with or without crackles or wheezes (dependent on stage of consolidation)
Caused by pneumonia, chest infection or lung contusion
State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of atelectasis
Airless state of lung tissue, shifting/collapse of structures
CXR - white/grey shadow, with loss of volume and shifting of structures (only visible on CXR if significant collapse i.e. a segment or greater). A total collapse may displace (pull) the mediastinum towards the affected side.
Auscultation - quite breath sounds if occluded bronchus or bronchial breath sound if patent bronchus, fine end inspiratory crackles with smaller atelectasis
Caused by bronchial obstruction, abdominal/cardiac surgery, shallow breathing
State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of pleural effusion
Excess fluid in the pleural cavity (>20ml)
CXR - Fluid is white and small amount of fluid (at least 500ml) will result in loss of costo-phrenic angle. As the amount increases a fluid line may be visible with tracking up the pleura laterally. Large amounts of fluid will displace (push) the mediastinum towards the non-affected side.
In supine may show whole lung as white as fluid travels to all aspects
Auscultation - quiet/absent breath sounds over the pleural effusion with bronchial breathing just above the top of the fluid level.
Caused by malignancy, pneumonia, TB, cardiac/abdominal surgery
State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space secondary to a rupture in the pleural layers
CXR - Very black (air) as there are no lung markings. With significant pneumothorax the lung is squashed and appears as a white density towards the hilum. The mediastinum may be displaced (pushed) to the non-affected side.
Auscultation - Very quiet over the area of pneumothorax
Caused by fast growth (particularly in young men), trauma, insertion of line, bullae in emphysema, barotrauma with high positive pressure devices
State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of pulmonary oedema
Extravascular water in the lungs - interstitial and alveoli
CXR - Bilateral fleecy opacities (butterfly shadows) spreading from the hila. May also be an enlarged heart if the cause is heart failure
Auscultation - Crackles that are more evident in dependent regions, sometimes fine, sometimes bubbly noise.
Caused by fluid overload, osmotic pressure changes, heart failure
