Chest X Ray Things Flashcards
What are the 2 projections you get?
- Anteroposterior (AP)
2. Posteroanterior (PA)
Why are AP projections crAP?
you cant comment on cardiac size
When looking at the technical quality of a CXR what do you comment on?
- Rotation
2. Inspiration
Should X rays be taken on deep inspiration or expiration?
on deep inspiartion
Where should the heads of the clavicles be on a good X ray?
they should be equidistant from spinous processes of vertebrae
What should you check for with the trachea?
Central or deviated
if there is a tension pneumothorax, which way will the trachea deviate?
away from the pneumothorax
If there is a collapsed lung, which way will the trachea deviate?
towards the lesion
When looking at the mediastinum what 3 things are visible on the left border?
- aortic knuckle
- pulmonary outflow tract
- left ventricle
Which way will the mediastinum shift if
a) there is a collapsed lung
b) pleural effusion
a) towards the collapsed lung
b) away from the pleural effusion
What do you check for when looking at the hila?
- symmetrical-size and density
2. calcification
Describe the position and size of the heart within the thorax?
- it should be half the width of the thorax
2. one third lies to the right and two thirds to the left
When observing the diaphragm what do you look for?
- right side should be higher than the left
2. costophrenic angles
What are the typical findings on a CXR for pneumonia?
- consolidation
2. shadowing, heart border can be obscured
What do you tend to see in pleural effusions?
- unilateral pleural thickening
- hemidiaphragm- concave surface
- blunted costophrenic angles
What can you see in a pneumothorax?
visible pleural edge
in a tension the trachea would be deviated
In what diseases might you see bilateral hilar enlargement?
sarcoidosis TB Lymphoma Metastatic cancer pulmonary arterial hypertension
In what disease might you see ring shadows?
Bronchiectasis
What will you see in pulmonary oedema?
consolidation
What will you see in lung cancer?
consolidation
blunting of costophrenic angles
mediastinal shift
What would you see in asbestosis?
pleural plaques- calcified
In what disease would you see lung hyperexpansion?
COPD
What are the 5 things you can see for heart failure?
A-Alveolar oedema (bats wings) B- Kerley B lines C- Cardiomegaly D- dilated prominent upper lobe vessels E- effusion
When would you see a D sign on a CXR?
empyema
