Module 3 Thoracic Cavity Flashcards
OPENINGS OF THE THORACIC CAVITY
- Superior thoracic aperture
- Inferior thoracic aperture
SUB DIVISIONS OF THE THORACIC CAVITY
- Right Pleural Cavity
- Left Pleural Cavity
- Pericardial Cavity
STRUCTURES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
- Pharynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs
DEF: PARENCHYMA
A characteristic tissue of a particular organ.
LUNG PARENCHYMA
Light and spongy
PORTIONS OF THE LUNG
- Apex
- Base
- Costophrenic angles
- Hilum
MEDIASTINUM
Mass of tissue between the pleura of the lungs and includes all the contents of the thoracic cavity except the lungs. Divided into superior, anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum.
CXR POSITIONING
- exposure taken on second inspiration
- CR at T7
- SID MUST be 180CM
- Done preferably at erect
REASONS FOR DOING BOTH INSP AND EXP CXR
- Pneumothorax
- Atelactasis ( partial collapse or incomplete inflation of the lung )
- Presence of a FB
- Diaphragmatic Excursion ( movement of the thoracic diaphragm during breathing
ISTHMUS
A narrow band of tissue the connects the two lobes of the thyroid a cross the anterior trachea
THYROID GLAND
An endocrine gland that produces hormones that serve to increase metabolism .
- Thyroxinehormone
- Triodothyronine hormones
PARATHYROID GLANDS
Glands that produce parathyroid hormones which playa role in calcium homoestasis. They are two in number and situated on the superior aspect of each thyroid hormone
PHARYNX
A common passage for the respiratory and digestive systems located in front of the vertebrae and behind the nose and mouth. Pharynx is divided into three.
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngeal pharynx
LARYNX
Commonly referred to as a voice box, located below the the tongue base in front of the laryngeal pharynx, subdivided into three compartments
- Superior pair folds
- Inferior pair folds
- Rima Glottis
AP SOFT TISSUE NECK PROJECTION
- Dome supine or upright, preferably erect
- Align MSP to the CR
- Raise chin to prevent mandibular shadow
- Cent-erring point is the laryngeal prominence
- Collimation must include EAM and jugular notch
- Exposure must be done under slow respiration
AP PROJECTION STRUCTURES DEMONSTRATED
- Larynx and pharynx from C3- T3 and must be filled with air and visualised through the C spine
- Pathology affecting the larynx,trachea, thyroid and thymus glands may be seen when present
- Radiopaque or opacified foreign bodies may be visualised when present:
LATERAL SOFT TISSUE NECK PROJECTION
Done : -
- Upright if possible
- Depress the shoulders
- Extend the patients chin slightly
- SID/ FFD must be 180cm to minimise magnification
- Exposure done during slow nasal inspiration ( to fill up the upper airway)
- Collimate to include EAM to jugular notch
SOFT TISSUE NECK LATERAL PROJECTION, STRUCTURES DEMONSTRATED
- Pharynx and larynx should be filled with air and we’ll visualised
- Radiopaque or opacified FB may be visualised if present
AP PROJECTION OF TRACHEA
- Done supine or upright ,preferably erect
- Raise chine slightly and place MSP perpendicular tooth IR
- Centre to the manubrium
- Expose during slow deep inspiration to ensure filling of the trachea and upper airway
AP PROJECTION STRUCTURES DEMONSTRATED NECK
- Outline of the air filled trachea superimposed over the cervical vertebrae
- Visibility of the area from mid- cervical to mid thoracic region
LATERAL PROJECTION
TRACHEA
- Patient in erect position with body in true lateral position
- Patients hands clasped behind their back with shoulders rotated posteriorly
- Collimate to above the upper border of the laryngeal prominence and the sorrow ding soft tissue
- Expose during slow , deep inspiration to fill the trachea and upper airway with air
LATERAL TRACHEA PROJECTION
STRUCTURAL DEMONSTRATION
- Air-filled trachea
- Area from mid- cervical to mid-thoracic region must be seen
- Trachea-and superior mediastinum free
PA CHEST PROJECTION
- Position patient upright of seated
- MSP perpendicular to the IR
- MCP parallel to the IR
- Patients dorsal surface of the hands placed on the hips
- Patients shoulders rotated forward and relaxed downwards
- Place the top of the IR 5cm above the shoulders
- Collimate to the exposure field
- Centre to the level of T7
- Place lead runner for gonadal shielding
- Practice breathing with the patient a few time and then instruct them to hold their breath and expose
LATERAL CHEST PROJECTION
- Position patient upright, seated or standing with left side in contact with the IR
- Make sure the patient has a balanced stance
- MSP is parallel to the IR
- MCP is perpendicular to the IR
- Raise patients arms above the chest with chin elevated and looking straight a head
- Top of IR. use be 5 cm above the top of the shoulders
- Centre at the level of T7 ( inferior angle of scapular)
- Provide shielding
- Ask patient to inhale and exhale then inhale and hold
-
AP CHESTPROJECTION
- Position patient supine or upright facing the x-ray position
- MSP perpendicular to the IR
- MCP parallel to the IR
- Arms clear of the thorax region with the chin elevated and straight
- Place IR 5 cm above the shoulders
- Centre at the level of T7
- Provide lead shielding
- Practice breathing with patient then inhale and hold.
-
AP CHEST PROJECTION: Pulmonary Apices
Position patient standing or seated upright about 30cm in front of the IR.
- MSP perpendicular to IR
- Place arms clear of the thorax with the chine raised and
Poking straight ahead - Place IR 5 cm above the shoulders
- Centre at the mid sternum
- Provide lead shielding
- practice breathing with patient
- NB= Modification - patients back flat of the IR, then angle CR 15-20 deg up
PA CHEST RAD CRITERIA
- Include apices to costophrenic angles
- Scapulae outside the lung fields
- 3 ribs above the clavicle
- Manubrium superimposed over the 4th thoracic vertebrae
Equal distance fromSC joint to vertebral column
- 10 posterior ribs seen above the diaphragm on full inspiration
LEFT LATERAL. CHEST
RADIOGRAPHIC CRITERIA
- Include Apices to costophrenic angles, sternum to posterior ribs
- Project the right costophrenic angle inferiority
- Posterior Rib separation of no more than 1 cm must be seen
- Superimposed Thoracic vertebral bodies
No hi Earl superimposition on lung Apices must be seen
INFANT AP CHEST RADIOGRAPHIC CRITERIA
- Apices to costophrenic angles seen
- CR at T4
- Baby’s chin must not superimpose the lung field
- Equal distance from SC joints to the vertebral column
- 8 or 9 posterior ribs seen above the diaphragm on full inspiration
- All tubes and lines must be visible
INFANT OR CHILDS LATERAL CHEST
RADIOGRAPHIC CRITERIA
- Must include Apices to costophrenic angles, sternum and posterior ribs
- Posterior-ribs must be superimposed
- Avoid humeral superimposition of lung Apices
- Avoid exposure of chin or head
- Centre @ T5
CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER ( CVC)
- A catheter inserted through subclavian or jugular vein
- Ideal position is within the SVC 2,5 cm above the right atrium
- Used to administer chemotherapy or parental nutrition
-
PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETER ( PICC LINE )
- Central line inserted through one of the peripheral veins
- Ideal position is in the SVC
- Used for long term IV therapy
ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE. (ETT)
- Tube used to inflate the lungs
- It is inserted into the trachea
- And it’s ideal position 2,5-5cm above the carina
TRACHEOSTOMY
- Surgical opening made in the trachea to create an artificial airway
- Ideal position 1/2 distance from the tracheal stoma and carina
- NB =Never to be tempered with
CHEST TUBE FOR PNEUMOTHORAX
- Tube inserted into the chest for the purpose to remove air that has accumulated in the pleural cavity
- Ideal position is within the pleural cavity anteriorly placed at the mid clavicular,level
CHEST TUBE ( drain) FOR PLEURAL EFFUSION
- A chest tube inserted to remove fluid that has accumulated in the pleural cavity
- The tubes ideal position is within the pleural cavity laterally placed at the 5th intercostal space
PACEMAKER
- A medical device that generates impulses to regulate the heart rate
- 8It is inserted through the antecubital, femoral, jugular, or subclavian vein
- It’s ideal position is into the subcutaneous fat of the anterior chest wall with the catheter tip with in the right atrium and or ventricle
PORT-O-CATH
- A medical device used to draw blood and give treatment
- It’s ideal position is in the subcutaneous fat of the anterior chest wall with the catheter tip advanced to the SVC
PULMONARY ARTERIAL CATHETER (SWAN- GANZ CATHETER)
- A catheter inserted through subclavian, jugular or femoral veins
- It’s ideal position is seen within the heart shadow with the catheter travelling to SVC, right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary trunk and end at the right or left pulmonary artery
- Used to measure the pressure in the pulmonary artery and atriums
- Also measures the cardiac output
NEONATES CHEST UMBILICAL ARTERY CATHETER
- Ideal position is in the thoracic aorta at the level of T6-T9 or below the renal artery
- It’s purpose is to measure oxygen saturation
NEONATAL. CHEST UMBILICAL VEIN CATHETER
- A catheter used to deliver fluids and medications
- Ideal position is the junction of the IVC and right atrium
HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE ( RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME )
- Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome more common in premature babies born six or more weeks.
- Seen in premature infants with lack of surfactant ( a substance that lowers surface tension of fluid lining the alveoli, allowing the alveoli to remain expanded and promote gaseous exchange)
- Without surfactant the alveoli are unable to stay inflated , and collapse when the baby exhales
- Clinical signs- Dyspnea- shortness of breath- hypoxia
- Imaging- AP mobile chest
- RADIOGRAPHIC appearance- - Under aeration if the lung- Lungs have a granular appearance, ground glass appearance, hazy- Air bronchograms
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
- A hereditary disorder that is affecting the exocrine glands
- Exocrine glands secrete excessive mucous which affect multiple systems ( digestive and respiratory )
- The exocrine secretions block the bronchi and trachea leading to areas of collapsed lung and recurrent lung infection
- IMAGING - CXR
- Chest CT - RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE- Hyperinflation of the lung
P. - Late stage: Brochiectasis - TREATMENT - Daily chest physio to loosen the mucous in the chest
- Antibiotics for chest infections
-
AIR SPACE DISEASE
- Non filling of the pulmonary tree with material that attenuates x rays more than the surrounding lung parenchyma
- Produces opacities in the lung, producing a fluffy or hazy appearance
- Can be throughout the lung or localised
- Air bronchogramms are commonly seen due to the bronchi being surrounded by opacified alveoli
SUBCUTANEOUS EMPHYSEMA
- This is free air within the tissues of the chest, neck and axilla
- CLINICAL SIGNS- The skin will feel crunchy when touched
- RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE- Free air with in the muscle appears as a stripped appearance
EMPHYSEMA
- Trapped air in the lungs because of the destroyed alveolar walls, this causes air to be trapped in the spaces on exhalation
- Lung elastic recoil is damaged further increasing the air trapped in the lungs
- CAUSE- Inhalation of cigarette smoke
- CLINICAL SIGNS- Shortness of breath and wheezing
- IMAGING- PA and Lateral CXR
- RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE- Lungs are hyper inflated, increased radio density
- Blunted Diaphragms
- Bullae, enlarged air spaces appear
ASTHMA
- Bronchial, airway narrowing due to sensitivity to specific allergens causing air
To be trapped in the lungs - CLINICAL SIGNS- Dyspnea, wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Tachycardia and fatigue - Imaging- PA and Lateral CXR
- RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE- Typically normal chest appearance
- During an attack the lungs may appear hyper inflated due to trapped air
OBSTRUCTIVE ATELECTASIS
- Collapse of the entire lung or segment of lung with loss of lung volume
- Caused y air way obstruction ( tumour, foreign body or mucus) , or inadequate surfactant
CLINICAL SIGNS AND IMAGING FOR OBSTRUCTIVE ATELECTASIS
Signs- Dyspnea
- Chest pains
Imaging- PA and Lateral CXR
RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF OBSTRUCTIVE ATELECTASIS
- Increased radiopacity of the lung due to loss of air in alveoli
- Elevated diaphragm
- Displaced lung fissures
- Over inflation of unaffected lung or in affected lobes or segments of lung
- Parietal and visceral pleura remain intact , causing shift of trachea, heart and hemidiaphragm towards the side of volume loss
COMPRESSIVE ATELECTASIS
External compression of the lung caused by pneumothorax or pleural effusion
CLINICAL SIGNS AND IMAGING FOR COMPRESSIVE ATELECTASIS
Clinical signs - Dyspnea
- Chest pain
Imaging. - PA and Lateral CXR
RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE FOR COMPRESSIVE ATELECTASIS
Volume loss or collapse of lung due to external pressure of fluid or air
BRONCHIECTASIS
Chronic dilatation of the bronchi or bronchioles usually caused by bacteria, staphylococcus
CLINICAL SIGNS AND IMAGING FOR BRONCHIECTASIS
Signs - Productive cough
- Hemoptysis
Imaging- High Resolution CT chest
RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF BRONCHIECTASIS
- Enlarged bronchi
- Signet ring sign
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
Inflammation of the air ways with excessive secretions of mucus caused by virus influenza A or B or by inhaling an irritant like cigarette smoke
CLINICAL SIGNS AND IMAGING FOR CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
Clinical signs- Productive cough
- Wheezing
Imaging- PA and Lateral CXR
RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
As the disease progresses the CXR may show signs of hyperinflation of the lung and increased vascular markings due to chronic obstruction of airways
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)
This chronic obstruction of the airways due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema primarily caused by inhaling cigarette smoke
- Bronchitis causes airway obstruction through excessive mucus production
- Emphysema destroys the alveoli walls thus enlarging the airspace’s and trapping air
CLINICAL SIGNS AND IMAGING FOR COPD
Clinical signs- Productive cough
- Dyspnea - Wheezing - Barrel chest
Imaging. - PA and Lateral CXR
RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF COPD
- Blunted diaphragms,
- Hyper-inflated lungs
- Increased retrosternal space
PULMONARY EMBOLISM PE
This is blood clots within the pulmonary arteries often caused by an embolus from the deep veins of the legs ( DVT)
DVT maybe caused by prolonged sitting, prolonged bed rest-or immobility, surgery, recent fractures of the hip or lower leg etc.
CLINICAL SIGNS AND IMAGING FOR PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Clinical signs- Sudden onset, sharp chest pain
- Dyspnea - Diaphoresis ( excessive sweating)
NB :May be fatal if pulmonary infarction results
Imaging. - CT PE protocol, with contrast media utilised
RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Contrast filling defect on CT scan with in the pulmonary arteries affected