Chest X Ray Interpretation Flashcards
5 densities on CXR: (increasing brightness)
- air (black)
- fat (gray)
- fluid (light gray)
- bone (white)
- metal (white)
(denser structures appear darker)
over exposure =
not enough details
under exposure =
accentuates the pulmonary vasculature (going to make the patient look like they have pulmonary edema when they don’t)
Chest xray quality: rotation
medial ends of the clavicle should be equidistant from the spinous processes
Concern with an expiration view
hemidiaphragms are higher, making the heart appear larger and crowding the basilar pulmonary vessels
also, breast shadows can overlap the hemidiaphagm
Together, these findings may make you think that bilateral lung infiltrates are present, when it’s actually a normal chest.
Sufficient inspiration demonstrates about ____ posterior ribs or ____ anterior ribs above the diaphragm.
10, 6.5
SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
- verify patient
- verify date
- type of film (AP, PA, lateral)
- exposure
- bony thorax
- lungs
- mediastinum, heart, hilum
- lines, tubes, wires, hardware (I.e., pacemaker, AICD, etc.)
The RIGHT PA passes _____ to the right main bronchus.
anterior
The LEFT PA hooks _______ and _____ the left main bronchus.
backwards and over
What is the hilar point?
Angle formed where the upper and lower lobe pulmonary vessels meet
Cardiac silhouette should be ______ of cardiothoracic diameter.
<50%
Lobar atelectasis: Clues
- comes quickly, goes quickly
- mediastinal shift
- ribs look closer together
- obliteration of heart border
- elevated diaphragm
Subpulmonic pneumothorax and associated sign.
Air that accumulates between the base of the lung and the diaphragm
note a DEEP SULCUS SIGN
Emphysema appearance
- hyperinflated lungs
- heart looks small (because lungs are so big)
- flattened hemidiaphragms bilaterally
The ETT should be about __ to __ cm above the carina.
3 to 5 cm
