Diaphragm & Extrapleural Sign

Question 1

What is an extrapleural sign? When can it be considered an incidental finding? What is it a clue to?

Answer 1

indentation of the pulmonary parenchyma by a pleural or extrapleural mass

chondrodystrophic breeds (Basset Hounds)

rib abnormalities - fracture or neoplasia

Question 2

Extrapleural signs:

Answer 2

Question 3

What is seen in this radiograph?

Answer 3

• large pleural space mass, likely lipoma
• cranial and right displacement of L lung lobes and cardiac silhouette
• L caudal lobe collapsed, can only see one pulmonary artery/vein

Question 4

What are 4 Roentgen signs associated with diaphragmatic rupture?

Answer 4

1. lack of visualization of normal diaphragmatic crura or cupule —> usually lateral - crura!
2. cranial displacement of abdominal contents
3. contralateral shift of cardiac silhouette away from the side of rupture due to mass effect
4. increased ovall lung opacity due to space occupying mass effect of cranially displaced abdominal contents and compression atelectasis

Question 5

What is happening in this radiograph?

Answer 5

diaphragmatic rupture

• ill-defined opaque line
• right and left crura not seen on VD
• only left crus seen laterally
• bowel loops with gas inside within the thoracic cavity
• rib fractures and paracostal hernia with abdominal contents in SQ tissue

Question 6

What is occurring in these radiographs?

Answer 6

• can’t make out right crus on right lateral projection
• cranial displacement of abdominal organs on the right side