Imaging of the thorax Flashcards
what is a CXR
2d image of all the thorax
what is an advantage of chest radiography
cheap and accessible
what is a disadvantage of chest radiography
projectional
what is an advantage of ultrasound
non ionising radiation
what is the disadvantage of ultrasound?
operator dependant
what is an advantage of CT
cross sectional
what is a disadvantage of CT
ionising radiation
what is an advantage of radionuclide imaging
offers physiological information
what is a disadvantage of radionuclide imaging
poor anatomical visualisation
when is CT of the chest performed
Performed in the trauma setting, cancer staging or further investigation of respiratory pathology.
why is contrast added to CT chest
imrpove diagnostic information from vessels
what plane is this ct from
axial
what plane is this CT from
coronal
what plane is this CT from
Saggital
what major structures are in this CT
Apices of the lungs.
Superior mediastinum:
Arch of the aorta (and branches).
SVC (and branches).
Trachea.
Oesophagus.
what major structures are in this CT
Lungs.
Ascending and descending thoracic aorta.
Carina.
Hila.
Main pulmonary arteries and veins.
Heart.
what major structures are in this CT
Bases of lungs.
Descending thoracic aorta.
Heart.
Oesophagus.
Liver.
what is wrong with this CTPA
Pulmonary embolus
what is wrong with this CT
bronchogenic carcinoma (SCLC)
Cavitating right lung mass (necrotic areas). CT biopsy and subsequent histology confirmed SCLC
what is wrong with this CT
pericardial effusion
fluid buildup in the pericardial space
what is wrong with this CT
ascending thoracic aorta aneurysm
when are thoracic ultrasounds used
Ultrasound is commonly used for patient assessment in ITU settings and for image-guided biopsy.
what is POCUS
- POCUS = point of care ultrasound
- Use is increasing in respiratory medicine.
- POCUS = ultrasound that is simultaneously performed, interpreted and utilised by a suitably qualified clinician at the time of consultation with the patient.
what are ultrasounds very senstive to
small pleural effusions
what is an echocardiogram used for
- Specialised cardiology investigation.
- Useful for functional information on cardiac function (especially valvular).
when is radionuclide imaging of the chest predominantly used
Predominantly lung ventilation/perfusion imaging (V/Q).
what does radionuclide imaging of the chest do
Offers physiological information on correlation between areas of the lung that are receiving air and those receiving adequate blood supply.
how do you asses image quality for chest radiography
- Patient ID
- Take note of annotations
- Correct area included.
- Rotation.
- Inspiration.
- Artefacts.
what is the search strategy for chest radiography
- An example of a format for this is “Are There Many Lung Lesions Detectable?”:
- Abdomen
- Thorax
- Mediastinum
- Lung – right then left
- Lung – compare
- Devices
what is wrong with this chest radiograph
Pneumoperitoneum
what is wrong with this chest radiograph
fractured right clavicle
what is wrong with this chest radiograph
cardiomegaly
what is wrong wth this chest radiograph
left pleural effusion
what is wrong with this chest radiograph
left pneumothorax
