Chest X Ray Abnormalities

Question 1

State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of consolidation

Answer 1

Lung tissue becomes firm and solid
White/grey shadow
Increased/decreased breath sounds, crackles or wheezes
Caused by pnemonia, chest infection or lung contusion

Question 2

State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of atelectasis

Answer 2

Airless state of lung tissue, shifting/collapse of structures
White/grey shadow
Quieter breath sounds, inspiratory crackles
Caused by bronchial obstruction, abdominal/cardiac surgery

Question 3

State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of pleural effusion

Answer 3

Excess fluid in the pleural cavity
Fluid is white and can see white fluid line
Absent/decreased breath sounds
Caused by malignancy, pneumonia, TB, cardiac/abdominal surgery

Question 4

State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of pneumothorax

Answer 4

Air in the pleural space secondary to a rupture in the pleural layers
Very black (air)
Very quiet over the area of pneumothorax
Caused by fast growth, trauma, insertion of line, bullae in emphysema

Question 5

State the pathology, signs on CXR, sounds and causes of pulmonary oedema

Answer 5

Extra vascular water in the lungs
Bilateral fleecy opacities (butterfly shadows)
Crackles
Caused by fluid overload, osmotic pressure changes, heart failure