Chest X-rays Flashcards
List 5 causes of a widened mediastinum
Lymphoma
Vascular problem: Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Retrosternal goitre
Teratoma
Tumours of the thymus
List 3 causes of ‘white-out’ of a hemithorax with the trachea pulled TOWARDS
Pneumonectomy
Complete lung collapse e.g. endobronchial intubation
Pulmonary hypoplasia
List 3 causes of ‘white-out’ of a hemithorax with the trachea central
Consolidation
Pulmonary oedema (usually bilateral)
Mesothelioma
List 3 causes of ‘white-out’ of a hemithorax with the trachea PUSHED AWAY
Pleural effusion
Diaphragmatic hernia
Large thoracic mass
List 8 causes of cavitating lung lesions
Abscess (S aureus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas)
Squamous cell lung cancer
TB
Wegner’s granulomatosis
PE
RhA
Aspergillosis
Histoplasmosis
List 3 common causes of lobar collapse
Lung cancer (most common in older adults)
Asthma (mucus plugging)
Foreign body
List 3 signs of lobar collapse on CXR
Tracheal deviation TOWARDS side of collapse
Mediastinal shift TOWARDS side of collapse
Elevation of hemidiaphragm
How should NG tube placement be assessed on CXR?
NG tube remains in midline to level of diaphragm
NG tube should bisect the carina
The tip of the NG tube should be visible + below the left hemidiaphragm, ~10cm beyond GOJ
List 5 cancers that may cause lung metastases
Breast
Colorectal
Renal cell
Bladder
Prostate
Which cancer is most commonly associated with cannonball metastases? What are these?
Renal cell carcinoma
Multiple round well defined lung secondaries
What are the features of pulmonary oedema on CXR?
Alveolar oedema
Bat wing hilar shadowing + Kerley B lines
Cardiomegaly
Diversion to the upper lobes (distension of upper pulmonary vessels)
Effusions: blunting of costophrenic angles
In which malignancies may you see calcification of lung metastases?
Chondrosarcoma
Osteosarcoma
