Introduction to Chest X-Ray Flashcards
What does black represent on x-ray?
Air
What does dark grey represent on x-ray?
Fat
What does light grey represent on x-ray?
Soft tissues
What does white represent on x-ray?
Bone or fluid
What does bright white represent on x-ray?
Metal
What 5 things should you consider when looking at a chest x-ray?
Airway Breathing Circulation Diaphragm Everything else
In chest x-rays how do you assess the airways?
Darker areas –> air
Bronchi (left main is more horizontal, right is more vertical)
In chest x-rays how do you assess breathing?
Image taken on full inspiration, look for costophrenic angle and whether sharp/blunt (should be sharp, blunt –> pleural effusion)
In chest x-rays how do you assess circulation?
Should see aortic knuckle (left sde is right atrium, right side is left ventricle), assess cardiothoracic ration (width of heart compared to thorax)
In chest x-rays how do you assess the diaphragm?
Dope shaped either side (right higher due to liver), cardiophrenic and costophrenic angles (blunting?), air under diapgram, lower diaphragm (hyperventilation)
Other than A, B, C, D what else should you assess in chest x-rays?
Soft tissue and foreign bodies/tubes/lines
What is a posterior anterior (PA) x-ray?
Most common - provides clearer heart side
What is an anterior posterior (AP) x-ray?
Performed on wars, mediastinum is larger lungs are unclear
