Lecture 14

Question 1

Describe the radiographic densities?

Answer 1

Normal:
Calcium (bone), soft tissues, fat and air.
Abnormal:
metal.

Question 2

Describe pleura?

Answer 2

Two layers that surround each lung:
1. visceral - adherent to the lung.
2. parietal - lines the thoracic cavities.
Pleural cavity is the potential space between the pleura and normally contains a small amount of serous plural fluid.

Question 3

What are the problems with pleura?

Answer 3

1. Pneumothorax - air in the pleura space. In an XRAY if the lung is smaller = pneumothorax. White in the inside of the lung and black int he outside of the lung.
2. Pleural effusion.
3. Tumours - plaques +/- calcium, lung cancer, metastases and mesothelioma.

Question 4

Describe pneumothorax?

Answer 4

Common int he hospital after trauma (knife wounds).

Question 5

Describe a miniscuoid apperance?

Answer 5

When there is a pleural effusion.

Question 6

What are the causes of pleural effusion?

Answer 6

Common:
-CHF/Fluid overload.
-Parapneumonic (pleurisy).
Less common:
-Cancer/metastases.
-Trauma - includes iatrogenic (lines).

Question 7

How do pleural effusions occur?

Answer 7

Big heart and bilateral effusions. 80% the right effusion is bigger than the left.