Imaging the Airways

Question 1

2 main modalities for assessing the airways

Answer 1

X-ray

CT

Question 2

How big should the normal prevertebral soft tissue thickness be at

1. C1-4
2. C5-7

Answer 2

1. < 7 mm

2. < 21 mm

Question 3

Bronchiectasis

Answer 3

Bronchi dilation
Endpoint structural abnormality of many different disease
Cause symptoms but you need to figure out why it developed

Question 4

Epiglottitis

Answer 4

Typically due to infection by H influenza
Decreased incidence with vaccination
Can see thumb sign on imaging (edema)

Question 5

How do we image for foreign bodies in lower airways in

1. Younger children (uncooperative)
2. Older children (cooperative)

Answer 5

1. Lateral decubitus x rays

2. Inspiratory and expiratory x-rays