ILP 4: CAL2 Chest X-Rays Flashcards
What are 5 chest xray features of common respiratory conditions?
- Collapse
- Consolidation
- Pneumothorax
- Pleural effusion
- Emphysema
What are the 2 systemic approaches for analysing a CXR?
What is the ABCDEFGHI systemic approach to analysing CXR?
What is the RIPE systemic approach to analysing CXR?
What are 4 types of the A in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
- Admin
- Assessment of quality
- Airway
- Attachments
What are 3 types of the F in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
- Fields
- Fissures
- Foreign bodies
What is Admin in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
Ensure you have the correct patient (name, DOB, UR) and note the image date and time - this can be found on a label at top corner of the CXR. Check correct orientation of the film – view the CXR as though you are looking face on to the patient (look for an L or R).
What is assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
What is RIPE** in the **assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
What is rotation (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
What does this CXR show?
Measure the distance between the end of each clavicle and the Thx spinous processes. This distance should be equal if there is minimal rotation; or it will be increased on the side to which the patient is rotated. This patient is slightly rotated to the left.
What is rotation (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
What does this CXR show?
The distance between the end of each clavicle and the Thx spinous processes is equal. This patient is not rotated (or ‘neutral rotation’).
What is rotation (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
What does this CXR show?
In comparison, this patient is rotated to the left, shown by the increased distance between the L) clavicle and the Thx spinous processes, compared to the distance on the R).
What is inspiration (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
- At full inspiration, apex of right hemi-diaphragm lies in the space between ribs 9-10 posteriorly; apex of the left hemi-diaphragm lies in the space between ribs 10-11 posteriorly.
- Full inspiration is ideal, but patient may be unable to breathe in fully, eg: reduced consciousness, neurological impairment, position (supine), lung pathology, pain, infant.
- Shallow inspiration means less lung is visible and affects contour of heart and mediastinum.
What is projection (& position) (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
- Check how the image was projected onto the film; typical projections are postero-anterior (PA), antero-posterior (AP), lateral. Another is decubitus (side-lying).
- The projection is usually stated on the top corner of the CXR (or if it is not stated, assume it is PA which is the standard view).
- Check the position of patient for the CXR, eg: erect, supine, sitting, side-lying (if not stated, assume it is erect which is the standard position).
What are 6 features of PA view for projection (& position) (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analysing a CXR?
- X-ray machine is behind patient, film is at front, so beams pass from back to front (P –> A = “PA”)
- Preferred view (sharper, realistic cardiac size)
- Patient erect standing
- Scapulae protracted to minimize overlap with thoracic cage
- Size of heart & mediastinum is more realistic than AP
- Taken on maximal inspiration
What are 6 features of AP view for projection (& position) (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
- X ray machine is in front of patient, film is at front, so beams pass from front to back (A –> P = “AP”)
- Used when patient is unable to stand (or sit) for PA view (eg: in ICU, too unwell)
- Usually taken using a mobile system
- Patient may be unable to do full inspiration
- Dressings and lines may obstruct view
- The heart is enlarged because it is further from the film than in a PA view
What are 3 features of lateral view for projection (& position) (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
- Used in combination with a PA view film – to assist interpretation of the PA view
- Mediastinal structures are more visible in this view; useful to detect pathology in this area
- Orientate film with spine to the right and heart to the left (irrespective of whether film is labelled L or R)
What is exposure (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
- Spine should be faintly visible behind the heart; the L hemi-diaphragm should be visible to the spine. This CXR is correctly-exposed: the spine is faintly visible behind the heart; the L hemi-diaphragm is visible to the spine.
- *Exposure can now be easily adjusted on modern digital viewing systems, so over/under exposure is rarely a problem.
What is 3 types of exposure (RIPE) in the assessment of quality in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
If the x-ray is too white, it is under exposed / penetrated (not enough xrays pass through); If the x-ray is too black, it is over exposed / penetrated (too many x-rays pass through).
What is airway in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
What does the CXR show?
What is attachments in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
What is attachments in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
What do the CXR show?
What is bones & soft tissue in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
What is bones & soft tissue in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
What does this CXR show?
Note the angle of the ribs relative to horizontal. If the ribs are close to the horizontal, this indicates hyperinflation of the lung.
(NB: this is in the section of lungs adjacent to the ribs being observed and maydiffer in parts within the same lung).
What is bones & soft tissues in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
What does this CXR show?
Note the shape of the chest. Compare the vertical and mediolateral diameters. Increased vertical diameter is often observed in patients with emphysema. This may relate to depression of the diaphragm due to hyperinflation.
What is bones & soft tissues in the ABCDEFGHI approach to analyse a CXR?
What does this CXR show?
Observe the soft tissue (normal soft tissue appears white, as is it does not contain air). Note any breast tissue.