Extrathoracic Structures Flashcards
What 4 divisions if the thorax divided into for interpretation?
- extrathoracic structures
- pleural space
- pulmonary parenchyma
- mediastinum
What are 4 important parts of the thoracic limbs that should be observed in thoracic radiographs?
- scapula - aggressive lesions, fractures
- glenohumeral joints - DJD, osteochondrosis, aggressive joint tumors
- humerus - proximal metaphysis aggressive lesions; diaphyseal metastatic disease, hypertrophic osteopathy, osteomyelitis
- cubital joints - DJD, septic arthritis, aggressive joint tumor
Thoracic limbs of thoracic radiographs:
- normal cartilaginous growth of physis at proximal humerus
- periarticular osteophyte proliferation at glenohumeral joint and sternebrae
What are 3 important structures in the cervical spinal area that should be observed on thoracic radiographs?
- trachea - size, luminal opacity, redudant dorsal tracheal membrane (trachealis collapse)
- esophagus - size, luminal opacity
- cervical spine - IVD degeneration, aggressive vertebral body lesions
Where are foreign bodies most commonly lodged in the esophagus?
thoracic inlet
Tracheal collapse:
redundant trachealis membrane
Thoracic spine, ribs, and sternum:
- VSD: osseous formation on ventral vertebral bodies
- ventral radiopaque line secondary to rib/costal cartilage degeneration
- costal cartilage fracture and callus formation
What is seen in these thoracic radiographs?
- sternal lysis and collapse with soft tissue swelling
- multiple, small pulmonary nodules
- osteolytic diaphysis and osteophyte formation
What is seen in this radiograph?
expansile soft tissue lesion —> rib lysis, loss of cortices
What is likely happening in this radiograph?
- large soft tissue mass - opacity extends into thorax
- rib lesions
- mass displaces cardiac silhouette to the left
How is diaphragmatic integrity observed?
- observation of diaphragmatic margins (pleural surfaces)
- lack of visualization of part of the diaphragm, likely by pleural fluid, pulmonary masses, or rupture
- cranial displacement of abdominal contents
What is occurring in this radiograph?
- left crura is cranial on a right lateral projection
- gas and mineral opacity indicative of ingesta = herniated intestine in thorax!
(secondary to diaphragmatic rupture)
What is seen in this radiograph?
- L crus displaced cranially
- border effacement between heart and small intestine/effusion displaces into thorax
What 2 organ systems are able to be seen in the cranial abdomen in a thoracic radiograph? What should be observed?
- liver and biliary tree
- stomach
peritoneal detail - pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, abdominal effusion
What is seen in these radiographs?
- pneumoperitoneuum
- metallic staples secondary to surgery
collection of gas likely a complication to the surgery
What is seen on this radiograph?
- malpositioned stomach with gas within gastric wall (pneumatosis gastri)
- also gas within portal vasculature
GDV!
