lungs Flashcards
how do you determine if penetration is adequate in a PA CXR
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE THORACIC SPINE THROUGH THE HEART SHADOW Inspiration: should see at least 8-9 posterior ribs
how do you determine if inspiration is adequate in a PA CXR
Inspiration: should see at least 8-9 posterior ribs
how do you determine if rotation is adequate in a PA CXR
rotation: spinous process should fall equidistant b/w the medial ands of the clavicle
how do you determine if magnification is adequate
AP films magnify only slightly
angulation adequate?
clavical normally has an S shape and medial end superimpose onto 3rd or 4th rib
if you can not see the htoracic spine through the heart on a PA CXR it is known as
underpenetrated
erros of with underpenetration
1) L lung base may appear opaque mimicking or hiding true disease in the L lower lung field 2) Pulmonary markings (i.e. mostly the blood vessels in the lung) may appear more prominent than they actually are leading to a false impression of disease like CHF or pulmonary fibrosis
what is the solution for a underpentrated CXR that mimics LL lung dz
confirm with lateral CXR
what to do if underpenetration makes CXR look like CHF
look for other signs of CHF lateral films for the presence of increase markings airspace dz effusions at the left base that you suspect
pitfall of poor inspiration
incomplete inspiration can lead to exaggeration of lung markings and heart size ○ Lung hyperexpansion is a sign of obstructive lung disease
how do you tell the adequacy of a cxr
RIP MA rotation inspiration penetration magnification angulation
If spinous processes closer to left clavicular head what can we infer about roation in a CXR
pt is rotated to their right
f spinous processes closer to right clavicular head what cna we infer about rotation in the CXR
pt is rotated to their left
How can you tell if it’s a AP or a PA film
is it a PA or AP film? (if there’s a lateral, it’s a PA!)
what are the problems with poor rotation
significant rotation may alter expected contours of the heart and great vessels, the hila and the hemidiaphragms
when do we get a CXR
SOB Chest pain Fever Cough Weight loss Trauma Lines/Tubes Foreign bodies
What are we looking for with a CXR
Pneumonia, infection Pleural effusion Pneumothorax Pulmonary edema Cancer, mass Heart size Mediastinum Perforated viscous Much, much more…
why do you want hands on hips or suspended above the head
to avoid scapula covering thorax
Lateral decubitus film (far right) is used to see if
Lateral decubitus film (far right) is used to see if a pleural effusion “layers out” if it doesn’t layer out that means a thorsocopy probably needs to be done
minor lung fissures are more likely to be seen on the
right side
mediastinum masses will nee
lateral films is the mediastinum mass locator compartments are only used for ddx
compartments
anterior, middle, posterior mediastinal compartment superior is used to be specific
what is this
lordotic view to highlihgt apex pancoast tumor
how wide should the mediastinum be?
no more than 8cm unless the pt is supine