Pediatric Flashcards
(Chest) 8. Which of the following features is more likely to suggest extralobar rather than intralobar sequestration?
A. Visceral pleural investment
B. Greater association with congenital abnormalities
C. Repeated infections
D. Pulmonary venous drainage
E. Presentation in adulthood
B. Greater association with congenital abnormalities
The association with congenital abnormalities is greater in extralobar (50%) than intralobar sequestration (15%). Other features of extralobar sequestration include systemic venous drainage, having its own plural investment, and being symptomatic in the first 6 months of life.
(Chest) 18. A 40-year-old man with recurrent left lower lobe pneumonias presents with fever and cough. CT shows a well-defined area of low attenuation with fine enhancing septae within the area of consolidation. An anomalous vessel supplies the mass, apparently arising directly from the aorta. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Intralobar sequestration
B. Lymphoma
C. Bronchoalvolar cell carcinoma
D. Infected bronchogenic cyst
E. Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
A. Intralobar sequestration
The presence of systemic vascular supply to the infected segment and the history of recurrent infections makesintralobar sequestration the most likely diagnosis.
- Which is the most common location for congenital lobar hyperinflation?
A. Left Upper Lobe (LUL)
B. Right Upper Lobe (RUL)
C. Right Middle Lobe (RML)
D. Right Lower Lobe (RLL)
E. Left Lower lobe (LLL)
A. Left Upper Lobe (LUL)
Congenital lobar hyperinflation occurs most commonly in the LUL (42%) followed by the RML (35%). Imaging features include a radiodense lobe that becomes radiolucent and hyperexpanded as fetal fluid is replaced with air.
- As part of investigations for respiratory distress in a neonate, a CT chest is performed showing variable sized cysts in the left lower lobe which are measuring 3cm (multicystic mass of pulmonary tissue). Regarding congenital pulmonary airway malformation, which of the following is correct?
A. Is the second most common pattern of disease
B. Represents Type 2 disease
C. Represents Type 3 disease
D. The location determines the category of type (1/2/3)
E. Represents Type 1
E. Represents Type 1
Type 2 smaller cysts are 0.5-2cm. Type 3 appears solid but contains multiple small cysts (0.3-0.5cm). Type 1 is the most common.
- Which of the following suggests intralobar rather than extralobar sequestration?’
A. Own pleural covering
B. Systemic venous drainage
C. Symptomatic in first six months
D. Infarction rare
E. Congenital anomalies in 15%
E. Congenital anomalies in 15%
Other features of intralobar sequestration includes visceral pleural cavity (pathological findings), and venous drainage to inferior pulmonary vein. Extralobar are associated with 50% of congenital abnormalities.
- Regarding congenital diaphragmatic hernias:
A. Most commonly right-sided
B. Of Bochdalek type are anterior
C. Of Morgagni are posterior
D. Are associated with pulmonary hypoplasia
E. Are mostly diagnosed by postnatal ultrasound
D. Are associated with pulmonary hypoplasia
Most congenital diaphragmatic hernias are diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound, and are left-sided. Bochdalek hernias are posterior and common. Morgagni hernias are anterior and rare.
(Chest) 30. The chest radiograph of a 35-year-old male smoker, performed for immigration purposes, shows hyperlucency of the entire right lung, with a small ipsilateral hilum. Lung markings are seen to the periphery. An expiratory film performed immediately after reveals air trapping. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Hypogenetic lung syndrome
B. MacLeod syndrome
C. Unilateral proximal obstruction of the right pulmonary artery
D. Bronchial obstruction
E. Unilateral bullae
B. MacLeod syndrome
MacLeod or Swyer-James syndrome manifests as hyperlucency with features of air trapping. The affected lung in proximal interruption of a pulmonary artery is often as opaque, or slightly more opaque, than the contralateral lung and there is no evidence of air trapping.
43 Which of the following conditions occurs more frequently in post-maturity rather than pre-term neonates?
(a) Germinal matrix haemorrhage
(b) Meconium aspiration
(c) Necrotizing entero-colitis
(d) Periventricular haemorrhage
(e) Respiratory distress syndrome
(b) Meconium aspiration
Meconium is the first stool passed, it is sterile and composed of epithelial cells, mucus, amniotic fluid, bile and water. Aspiration occurs if the meconium is expelled into the amniotic fluid prior to birth, or during labour. It is more common in post-mature births, if there is prolonged labour, and where foetal distress occurs during labour. Postmaturity is also associated with birth trauma and its sequelae, e.g. DDH. The other conditions are associated with prematurity.
7) A neonate in neonatal intensive care has an abdominal film showing an umbilical arterial catheter (UAC) and an umbilical venous catheter (UVC), both in good position. Which of the following features would help to determine which catheter is which?
a. UAC is smaller in calibre
b. tip of the UAC lies at T8 level
c. UAC courses down into pelvis before approaching thorax
d. UVC is longer than UAC
e. UAC tip always lies to the left of tip of the UVC
c. UAC courses down into pelvis before approaching thorax
The UAC passes along the umbilical artery to the internal iliac artery, from which it arises. It then passes up the common iliac artery into the aorta.
The UVC passes up the umbilical vein to the left portal vein, through the ductus venosus, into the middle or left hepatic vein and into the inferior vena cava.
The tips of the catheters may vary in position, but ideal placement of the UVC is around the T8–9 level, with high placement of the UAC being at the T7–9 level.
The tip of the UVC may lie on either side of the UAC depending on whether it reaches the inferior vena cava or remains in the left lobe of the liver.
The UAC and UVC are usually of the same diameter.
Their length is determined by their course, and is not a reliable predictor in identifying whether the catheter is arterial or venous.
11) A 2-year-old girl presents with respiratory distress following recent treatment for a chest infection that has been slow to resolve. A chest radiograph shows a large, well-defined mass in the lower right thorax. This comprises multiple cysts, with apparent hypoplasia of the ipsilateral lung, and is causing contralateral mediastinal shift. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a. bronchopulmonary sequestration
b. hypogenetic lung syndrome
c. congenital lobar emphysema
d. bronchogenic cyst
e. type I cystic adenomatoid malformation
e. type I cystic adenomatoid malformation
Cystic adenomatoid malformation (CAM) is a congenital cystic abnormality of the lung. There are three types: I – single/multiple large cysts of >20 mm; II – multiple cysts of 5–12 mm; III – solitary mass with microcysts. If undetected in utero, they usually present in the first year with respiratory distress and cyanosis, but can present later with recurrent infections. In type I CAM, the chest radiograph shows an expansile mass with multiple air- or fluid-filled cysts, with compression or hypoplasia of ipsilateral lung and contralateral mediastinal shift. Extralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration produces a wedge-shaped mass, usually posteromedially in either lung. Bronchogenic cysts are usually well-defined soft-tissue masses arising from the mediastinum and often present later in life. Hypogenetic lung syndrome produces a small hemithorax with reduced vascularity rather than a mass. Congenital lobar emphysema produces overinflation of one, or occasionally two, lobes, with hyperlucency. This may be mass like at birth due to delayed clearance of fluid.
@# 14) A 3-day-old boy presents with respiratory distress without cyanosis. Clinically, there is reduced air entry in the right hemithorax with dull percussion note. A chest radiograph shows an opaque right hemithorax with mediastinal shift to the left. Ultrasound scan shows a large effusion, which aspiration demonstrates to be milky. What is the most likely cause?
a. idiopathic
b. birth trauma
c. lymphangioleiomyomatosis
d. thoracic duct atresia
e. lymphangiectasia
a. idiopathic
Chylothoraces in neonates are usually right sided, and in most cases no obvious cause is found. Treatment is conservative with special formula and intermittent aspiration. All of the listed conditions are causes of chylothorax, but lymphangioleiomyomatosis presents in adult females and not in the neonatal period.
16) A newborn is found to have reduced air entry and breath sounds in the right hemithorax, but is otherwise well. A chest radiograph shows an opaque right hemithorax with ipsilateral mediastinal shift. Which feature on ventilation–perfusion scintigraphy would make the diagnosis of pulmonary hypoplasia more likely than complete collapse due to bronchial obstruction?
a. matched marked reduction in ventilation and perfusion
b. more marked reduction in perfusion than ventilation
c. more marked reduction in ventilation than perfusion
d. normal ventilation with reduced perfusion
e. normal perfusion with reduced ventilation
a. matched marked reduction in ventilation and perfusion
Pulmonary hypoplasia is the presence of a completely formed but congenitally small bronchus with rudimentary parenchyma and vessels.
This produces a matched marked reduction in ventilation and perfusion or, in severe cases, complete absence of both ventilation and perfusion.
In total lung collapse, the ventilation would be reduced or absent with often reduced, but better, perfusion.
20) A 7-year-old boy presents with a 1-week history of a cough productive of green sputum. He is pyrexial with a mildly raised white cell count. Which feature on the chest radiograph would be more suggestive of bacterial pneumonia than viral pneumonia?
a. pleural effusion
b. peribronchial cuffing
c. atelectasis
d. airspace opacification
e. cavitation
e. cavitation
Bacterial pneumonia is a combination of airway and alveolar disease, whereas viral pneumonia tends to affect airways and peribronchial tissues. Bacterial pneumonia produces two patterns of disease: lobar (consolidation, no volume loss, usually in one lobe, may cavitate) or bronchopneumonic (patchy airspace change which enlarges and coalesces, and volume loss due to mucus plugging). Viral pneumonia tends to produce peribronchial linear densities and an interstitial pattern, though airspace change may be seen in up to 50% of cases. Hilar adenopathy is not often seen, but effusions are present in 20% of cases. Pneumatoceles, pneumothorax and cavitation do not occur. Viral pneumonia may sometimes be complicated by bacterial pneumonia.
(Chest) 26) A 5-year-old female presents with intermittent, colicky, epigastric discomfort with no specific features. A CT shows transverse colon protruding through a small defect anteriorly in the diaphragm in a parasternal position. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a. Bochdalek’s hernia
b. Morgagni’s hernia
c. rolling hiatus hernia
d. eventration
e. septum transversum defect
b. Morgagni’s hernia
A Morgagni hernia is due to a developmental defect anteromedially in the diaphragm between the septum transversum and left (10%) or right (90%) costal margins. They are usually asymptomatic but can produce pain. They are usually small and present in older children or adults.
A Bochdalek hernia is a posterolateral developmental defect. It tends to be large, is more common on the left and presents in infancy.
Rolling hiatus hernia is herniation of the stomach through the oesophageal hiatus alongside the esophagus.
A septum transversum defect is a defect in the central tendon.
29) In hyaline membrane disease, which is the first feature usually seen on a chest radiograph in the initial stages?
a. reduced lung volumes
b. bilateral consolidation
c. granularity in both lungs
d. pleural effusions
e. white-out of lungs
c. granularity in both lungs
Hyaline membrane disease is due to deficiency of pulmonary surfactant, which causes alveolar collapse.
Prematurity, caesarean section and perinatal asphyxia are predisposing factors.
In the mild form, granularity is seen throughout the lungs as the first sign.
As the condition progresses, air bronchograms appear with eventual complete opacification of the lungs.
Changes are usually symmetrical if the condition is uncomplicated.
(Chest) 41) A 40-year-old female with known history of seizures and low IQ presents with severe shortness of breath, progressively worsening over a number of years. A chest radiograph shows extensive honeycombing throughout both lungs, which are of normal volume. A small pneumothorax is also seen on the right side. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a. sarcoidosis
b. cystic fibrosis
c. tuberous sclerosis
d. lymphangiomyomatosis
e. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
c. tuberous sclerosis
The lung is involved in 5% of patients with tuberous sclerosis, with symptoms usually occurring in adult life, and it is predominantly women who are affected. There is interstitial fibrosis in the lower lungs with miliary nodular changes, which progress to honeycomb lung.
Recurrent pneumothoraces occur in 50% of cases.
Chylothorax may also be seen. Preservation of the lung volumes with honeycombing is seen in histiocytosis, neurofibromatosis and lymphangiomyomatosis, as well as tuberous sclerosis.
44) An 18-month-old girl has a cough. A chest radiograph shows consolidation in the right upper lobe. This is treated and a follow-up chest radiograph is performed, which shows a triangular-shaped mass arising from the mediastinum projecting over the right upper lobe. This has a rippled border. What is the most appropriate next investigation?
a. CTof chest
b. blood film
c. MR of chest
d. denatured red blood cell scintigraphy
e. no further investigation
e. no further investigation
The appearance is of a normal thymus, which is visible in 50% of children up to 2 years of age. It is usually seen as a triangular density arising from the superior border of the mediastinum (‘sail sign’), which has a rippled border due to indentation by the ribs (‘wave sign’). The shape may change with position and respiration.
(CVS) 53) A 25-year-old male presents with dyspnea on exertion, cough and hemoptysis. He has a history of recurrent chest infections as a child. A chest radiograph shows a hyperlucent left lung. A pulmonary embolus is suspected and a _V= _Q scan is arranged. This shows reduced perfusion and ventilation of the left lung, with delayed washout on ventilation. What is the most likely diagnosis?
a. acute pulmonary embolus
b. Macleod’s syndrome
c. congenital lobar emphysema
d. Poland’s syndrome
e. hypogenetic lung syndrome
b. Macleod’s syndrome
Macleod’s (Swyer–James) syndrome is a result of acute bronchiolitis in childhood causing obliterative bronchiolitis. There is usually a history of recurrent infections. Chest radiographs show hyperlucent lung with a small or normal-sized hemithorax. High-resolution CT shows reduced vascularity and attenuation of lung with air trapping.
Congenital lobar emphysema presents in the first 6 months of life with respiratory distress and a hyperlucent, overexpanded lobe (usually left upper) on the chest radiograph.
Poland’s syndrome is an absence of part of the pectoralis major muscle, which causes apparent hyperlucent lung, though the lung is normal.
Hypogenetic lung syndrome is usually asymptomatic and causes reduced volume of lung with reduced lucency.
56) A neonate presents with respiratory distress shortly after birth. A chest radiograph shows hazy opacification in the left upper zone, which improves over the next 7 days, and the chest radiograph becomes normal. Two months later, the baby re-presents with respiratory distress, and a chest radiograph shows hyperlucency in the left upper zone with contralateral mediastinal shift and compression of the adjacent left lower lobe. What is the likely diagnosis?
a. congenital lobar emphysema
b. Macleod’s syndrome
c. bronchiolitis obliterans
d. foreign body
e. carcinoid
a. congenital lobar emphysema
Congenital lobar emphysema results in progressive overinflation of one or more pulmonary lobes; it presents in the first 6 months of life with respiratory distress and cyanosis. The left upper lobe is most commonly affected. Imaging features immediately after birth are of a hazy, mass-like opacity, which represents delayed clearing of lung fluid in the emphysematous lobe. After clearing of the fluid, the affected lobe becomes expanded and hyperlucent on imaging, and causes mass effect and mediastinal shift.
Macleod’s syndrome is a complication of bronchiolitis, usually presenting with hyperlucency of one or both lungs.
Bronchiolitis obliterans usually occurs in adults, but may present in children following infection.
59) A 3-year-old boy presents with a cough of 1 week’s duration. There is no relevant preceding history. A chest radiograph shows lucency in the right lower zone, and an expiratory film demonstrates air trapping in the same region as well as mediastinal shift to the left. No masses are seen. What is the likely diagnosis?
a. foreign body aspiration
b. congenital lobar emphysema
c. congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation type I
d. bronchiolitis obliterans
e. bronchogenic cyst
a. foreign body aspiration
Foreign body aspiration is most common in children under 3 years of age. It presents with varying degrees of cough, and the chest radiograph usually shows overinflation, atelectasis, infiltrates and/or air trapping, which almost exclusively involve the lower lobes, with the right most commonly affected. A foreign body is seen in only about 9% of cases.
Congenital lobar emphysema presents with increased lucency, usually in the upper zones, with air trapping and mediastinal shift.
Cystic adenomatoid malformation type I usually presents as an expansile mass with multiple cysts.
Bronchiolitis obliterans tends to present in adults, though it may present in children, usually with generalized hyperinflation and patchy air trapping.
64) A 10 month old presents with recurrent chest infections, the most recent caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The chest radiograph shows patchy infiltrates in the right base. Which feature on high resolution CT would make the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis more likely than Williams–Campbell syndrome?
a. cystic bronchiectasis
b. emphysematous bullae
c. mucus plugging
d. lower lobe involvement
e. pleural effusions
c. mucus plugging
Cystic fibrosis usually presents in the first year of life with cough and recurrent infections or progressive respiratory insufficiency. The upper lobes are predominantly affected. High-resolution CT shows mucus plugging (tubular opacities), bronchiectasis, peribronchial thickening, bullous formation and collapse/consolidation.
Williams–Campbell syndrome is a congenital deficiency of cartilage in the fourth to sixth generation bronchi. This produces cystic bronchiectatic changes beyond 3rd bronchial generation and bullous changes. Mucus plugging is not a feature.
@# 74) A neonate is delivered following an uncomplicated pregnancy and presents with respiratory distress but no cyanosis. No resuscitation or ventilation is required. A chest radiograph shows a pneumothorax, which is treated by aspiration. What investigation should be considered?
a. cranial ultrasound scan
b. renal ultrasound scan
c. abdominal radiograph
d. barium swallow
e. ascending urethrogram
b. renal ultrasound scan
Spontaneous pneumothorax may occur in babies where there are renal anomalies, and routine ultrasound scan is recommended. This is often associated with maternal oligohydramnios, but this may not necessarily be present.
77) A 30-week premature baby is delivered normally and shortly after birth develops tachypnoea and expiratory grunting. What feature on the chest radiograph would make respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn more likely than meconium aspiration syndrome?
a. bilateral consolidation
b. pneumothorax
c. pleural effusion
d. air bronchograms
e. hyperinflation with air trapping
d. air bronchograms
Respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn is the commonest cause of respiratory distress in premature neonates, and is due to relative immaturity of type II pneumocytes. Features seen on chest radiograph are reduced lung expansion, bilateral and symmetrical consolidation, and prominent air bronchograms. These resolve over several days.
Meconium aspiration syndrome is the commonest cause of respiratory distress in full-term neonates. Hyperinflation, pneumothorax and pleural effusions are seen, as are diffuse patchy opacities due to atelectasis and consolidation. No air bronchograms are seen. Changes usually resolve in 48 hours.
4 A 1 year old boy presents with an acute history of cough, wheeze, and respiratory distress. Which of the following is true?
(a) Collapse of a lung or lobe is the commonest radiographic finding acutely
(b) An inhaled foreign body is equally likely to pass into either mainstem bronchus
(c) The majority of foreign bodies are radio-opaque and can be seen on CXR
(d) Mediastinal shift on expiratory radiographs/fluoroscopy is toward the lucent side
(e) Normal imaging excludes the diagnosis of inhaled foreign Body
(b) An inhaled foreign body is equally likely to pass into either mainstem bronchus
The majority of inhaled foreign bodies are food material (e.g. peanuts), thus are not radio-opaque.
The paediatric airway diameter increases inspiration, decreases in expiration - a partial obstruction in inspiration may become complete in expiration, allowing air-trapping in expiration.
The carinal angle is symmetric in infants making it equally likely that a foreign body will pass into either left or right mainstem bronchus.
Radiographic evidence of air trapping is typical, however, no imaging modality can definitely exclude the diagnosis, therefore, if the history is suggestive, the child should undergo bronchoscopy.
12 An 8 month old boy presents with prolonged cough. On examination there is reduced air entry on the right side. The subsequent CXR demonstrates mediastinal shift towards the left side of the chest. Which of the following is more likely?
(a) Congenital lobar emphysema
(b) Bronchogenic cyst
(c) Pulmonary agenesis
(d) Scimitar syndrome
(e) Swyer-James (Mcleod) syndrome
(a) Congenital lobar emphysema
Causes of mediastinal shift away from the abnormal side include pleural effusions, tumours, diaphragmatic hernia, tension pneumothorax, and causes of air-trapping (e.g. bronchial atresia, congenital lobar emphysema). Asthma may be a cause, but uncomplicated cases do not cause shift. Mediastinal shift towards the abnormal hemithorax suggests volume loss as a cause (e.g. lobar collapse).
(Chest) 23- An 18-year-old man presents with a long history of recurrent pneumonias- CXR shows a 6 cm right lower lobe cystic lesion with an air/ fluid level within it. Contrast enhanced CT shows a single lesion containing fluid of water density along with higher attenuation material within it. A single aberrant vessel arising from the distal thoracic aorta is seen to enter the lesion. Angiography confirms this vessel and also demonstrates venous drainage via the pulmonary veins into the left atrium What is the likeliest diagnosis?
(a) Intra lobar sequestration
(b) Extra lobar sequestration
(c) Lateral thoracic meningocele
(d) Extramedullary hematopoiesis
(e) Pulmonary abscess
(a) Intra lobar sequestration
Intralobar sequestration is congenital malformation involving a lesion enclosed within the visceral pleura of the affected pulmonary lobe but has no connection with the tracheobronchial tree. It is more common than extralobar sequestration and can present in adulthood. Venous drainage of the lesion is via the pulmonary as opposed to the systemic veins as seen in extralobar sequestration. CT shows single or multiple cystic lesions filled with a combination of fluid, pus and mucus.
30 A 3 day old baby has dyspnoea. The CXR shows shift of the mediastinum to the right; the left hemithorax is filled with multiple cyst-like structures. The stomach is centrally located and there is a paucity of bowel gas within the abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
(a) Bochdalek hernia
(b) Bronchogenic cyst
(c) Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
(d) Extrapulrlnbnary sequestration
(e) Septum transverum defect
(a) Bochdalek hernia
Congenital diaphragmatic hernias include Bochdalek (85-90%), Morgagni (5%), and rarely: septum transverum defects, hiatus hernia and diaphragmatic eventration.
Bochdalek hernias are posterior, and left-sided (80%),
Morgagni hernias are anterio-medial, right-sided.
Differentiation from CCAM can be difficult, however, CCAM is less commonly macrocystic, the stomach will be normally sited to the left and the bowel gas pattern will be normal.
32 A 3 week old, previously well baby present with cough and difficulty in breathing. On examination there is reduced air entry on the right. CXR reveals complete opacification of the right hemithorax. There is rib crowding on the right and the trachea is positioned to the right. What is the most likely underlying cause?
(a) Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
(b) Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
(c) Extra-pulmonary sequestration
(d) Mucous plugging
(e) Pleural effusion
(d) Mucous plugging
When there is a unilateral dense hemithorax, it needs to be decided if this is the abnormal side (usually obvious). The differential diagnosis is based on the medisatinum: if it moves towards the opaque side it suggests volume loss (collapse due to mucous plugging, asthma, CF, ET tube misplacement, pulmonary aplasia, and, rarely, pneumonectomy). Mediastinal shift away from the opaque side suggests mass effect, usually due to pleural fluid (or tumours, CCAM, etc).
33 Regarding lung lesions in the paediatric population. Which of the following conditions is the most likely to present as multiple pulmonary opacities?
(a) Arterio-venous malformations
(b) Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
(c) Extra lobar pulmonary sequestrations
(d) lntralobar pulmonary sequestrations
(e) Pulmonary hamartomas
(a) Arterio-venous malformations
AVMs are multiple in up to 35%, and are more likely to be so if associated with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. Pulmonary sequestrations and pulmonary hamartomas are considered solitary intrathoracic masses.
36 A 1 year old girl presents to A&E with a harsh cough, fever and stridor. A lateral neck X-ray shows normal supraglottic structures. The CXR shows narrowing of the sub-glottic airway. What is the most likely diagnosis?
(a) Croup
(b) Enlarged tonsils
(c) Epiglottitis
(d) Inhaled foreign body in RLL
(e) Vocal cord palsy
(a) Croup
Croup is a viral infection occurring at 6 months - 3 years, mainly in winter. The ‘steeple’ (or inverted ‘V’) sign is due to oedematous narrowing of the sub-glottic airway.
Epiglottitis is caused by , Haemophilus influenzae and typically presents with stridor, fever, sore throat and drooling. It usually presents in older children (3-6 years), the key finding is thickened aryepiglottic folds on lateral neck films and it may be associated with subglottic narrowing similar to croup.
1 In a neonate with respiratory distress, which of the following CXR findings are more indicative of a diagnosis of meconium aspiration over hyaline membrane disease?
(a) Air bronchograms
(b) Ground glass changes
(c) Humeral heads not ossified
(d) Hyperinflation
(e) No pleural fluid
(d) Hyperinflation
In HMO the lungs are hypoinflated due to surfactant deficiency and hypoaeration (unless the patient is intubated). In meconium aspiration the lungs may be of normal volume, but are typically hyperinflated due to air trapping. The other findings are non-specific and may be present in both conditions.
4 Regarding congenital lobar emphysema. Which lobe is most commonly affected?
(a) Left lower lobe
(b) Left upper lobe
(c) Right middle lobe
(d) Right lower lobe
(e) Right upper lobe
(b) Left upper lobe
The most commotiily affected lobes, in order of decreasing frequency are: LUL (42-42%), RML (32-35%), RUL (20%). Two or more lobes are only affected in 5% of cases.
5 A 2 year old child presents with an acute history of coughing and wheezing. On examination, there is reduced air entry on the right side. Which single CXR view would you advise to maximise the chances of confirming the suspected diagnosis?
(a) Expiratory film
(b) Left lateral decubitus film
(c) PA erect film
(d) Prone film
(e) Supine film
(a) Expiratory film
The triad of cough, wheeze and reduced air entry in a child of appropriate age (6 months-4 years) is classic for an inhaled foreign body. Most are radiolucent, paired inspiratory/ expiratory CXRs are the most sensitive, however, the child may not cooperate. Lateral decubitus views may show air trapping, but the abnormal lung should be dependent. Fluoroscopy can show air-trapping dynamically, CT can also be considered prior to bronchoscopy.
15 Which of the following is most commonly associated with cystic fibrosis?
(a) Low sodium concentration in sweat
(b) Meconium plug syndrome
(c) Pectus excavatum
(d) Pneumothorax
(e) Situs inversus
(d) Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax is common and may be recurrent, due to rupture of bulla/blebs. Kartagener’s syndrome is associated with situs inversus. Sweat has high sodium and chloride levels. Meconium ileus, not meconium plug syndrome, is associated. Like asthma, CF is associated with pectus carinatum.
13 A 2 year old girl presents with fatigue, loss of appetite and fever. A CXR done as part of a septic screen shows a centrally placed mass with loss of the right paratracheal stripe, and subtle splaying of the ribs. The hilar structures and right heart border are clearly seen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
(a) Germ cell tumour
(b) Hodgkin’s Disease
(c) Leukaemia
(d) Neuroblastoma
(e) Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
(d) Neuroblastoma
Pyrexia of unknown origin has a malignant aetiology in 10% of cases (e.g. leukaemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, hepatoma, or sarcoma in children). A posterior mediastinal mass is described, lymphoma/ leukaemia can present like this, but they are classically in the anterior mediastinum; in this case the most likely diagnosis is neuroblastoma.
18 A young child presents in great distress with breathing difficulties. Which of the following would be more typical of croup rather than epiglottitis?
(a) The child is 1 year old at presentation
(b) Predominantly supraglottic involvement
(c) The child is febrile
(d) Associated dysphagia
(e) Increased stridor when placed supine
(a) The child is 1 year old at presentation
Croup is characterised by oedema of the glottis and subglottis, producing a ‘steeple shaped’ laryngeal airway on AP radiograph. It is not typically associated with either fever or dysphagia. Epiglottitis occurs in older children.
@#1 32 A 3 year old presents with a persistent cough that has not responded to antibiotics. CXR demonstrates a triangular shaped-mass medially at the left lung base. CT is arranged for further investigation. What feature favours a diagnosis of intra- over extrapulmonary sequestration?
(a) Air seen within lesion
(b) Communication with the bronchial tree
(c) Multiple associated anomalies
(d) Systemic venous drainage
(e) Systemic arterial supply
(a) Air seen within lesion
Intralobar type is within the lung, sharing its pleura; it may be of airless, or air-containing, cystic type, and presents late in childhood / adulthood with recurrent infections or haemoptysis. Arterial supply is systemic, drainage is to the pulmonary vein in 95% and there is a low association with other anomalies. Extrapulmonary sequestration presents in neonates, is located outside the lung with its own pleura, has a systemic arterial supply, and drainage is to the systemic circulation. In 65% there are associated anomalies and it is ‘always’ airless (unless there is a communication with the GI tract).
37 Which of the following features is not a typical finding of the normal infant thymus on CXR?
(a) Wavy inferior margin
(b) Change in size on inspiratory/ expiratory films
(c) No mass effect
(d) Convex lateral borders
(e) Homogeneous density
(a) Wavy inferior margin
The normal thymus widens on expiration, and narrows/ elongates on inspiration. <5 yrs there are smooth biconvex lateral borders, with increasing age the lateral margins straighten or become concave. The anterio-lateral margins can be indented by anterior rib ends to give a scalloped ‘wavy’ appearance laterally, but not inferiorly. The right lobe often has a flattened inferior border near the horizontal fissure producing the ‘sail sign’.
45 CXR shows asymmetrical density, with the right hemithorax more translucent that the left and there is noted to be normal and symmetrical pulmonary vascularity. lnspiratory/ expiratory films show symmetrical size changes of the hemithoraces. What is the most likely diagnosis?
(a) Congenital lobar emphysema
(b) Large pneumatocoele
(c) Pneumothorax
(d) Poland’s syndrome
(e) Pulmonary artery hypoplasia
(d) Poland’s syndrome
If there is asymmetric transradiancy and the lungs are abnormal, there are 3 factors to consider: differences in aeration, vascularity and size. If there is different vascularity, the side with the decreased vascularity is abnormal. If there are differences in aeration, the side which changes least on expiration is usually abnormal. In this case the lungs are normal and the increased translucency must be due to another cause. Poland’s syndrome has underdevelopment or absence of the pectoral muscle unilaterally (typically right); there may be associated webbing of the fingers.
(Chest) 51 A 35 year old lady undergoes a screening CXR. This shows unilateral transradiancy with reduced vessel markings on the affected side. A subsequent CT of the thorax reveals the changes are bilateral but asymmetrical, with areas of bronchiectasis. What is the most likely diagnosis?
(a) Bronchial atresia
(b) Congenital lobar emphysema
(c) Panacinar emphysema
(d) Swyer-James (Mcleod) syndrome
(e) Primary ciliary dyskinesia
(d) Swyer-James (Mcleod) syndrome
These are the typical features of Swyer-James (McLeod’s) syndrome, a form of obliterative bronchiolitis that follows an insult (most commonly viral) to the developing lung. The CT findings are often more extensive than the plain film, with bilateral changes common.
55 A 2 year old child is seen by her GP following recurrent chest infections. A CXR is performed and the thymus can be seen to extend down to the diaphragm. Which of the following is the least likely cause?
(a) Cushing’s disease
(b) Recovery from illness
(c) DiGeorge syndrome
(d) Hyperthyroidism
(e) Normal
(c) DiGeorge syndrome
Rebound hyperplasia is seen during recovery from illness, after chemotherapy or radiotherapy or following treatment for Cushing’s disease.
Hypoplasia or aplasia of the thymus is seen in DiGeorge syndrome.
In infancy a prominent thymus is almost always normal and can occasionally extend as far as the diaphragm.
61 A 6 hour old term baby delivered by Caesarian section has increased respiratory rate with intercostal recession. CXR shows prominent vascular markings, Kerley B lines and small bilateral pleural effusions. There is full resolution of symptoms and CXR findings after 2 days. What is the most likely diagnosis?
(a) Hyaline membrane disease
(b) Meconium aspiration
(c) Neonatal pneumonia
(d) Transient tachypnoea of the newborn
(e) Tricuspid atresia
(d) Transient tachypnoea of the newborn
TTN is the commonest cause of respiratory distress in the newborn. Risk factors include C-section, breech, or fast deliveries (thus fluid is not ‘squeezed’ from the lungs through the birth canal). Onset is typically within the first 6 hours (peak 1 day). The CXR findings given are typical and although there can be overlap, the history/ risk factors and subsequent resolution make TTN the most likely diagnosis.
68 A 14 day old neonate born at 32 weeks has been treated for respiratory distress syndrome and has remained on a ventilator. Increasing ventilatory pressures have been required. The CXR shows overinflated lungs, black ‘streaks’ running in the line of the bronchi but a normal heart size. What is the most likely diagnosis?
(a) Broncho-pulmonary dysplasia
(b) Patent ductus arteriosus
(c) Pulmonary haemorrhage
(d) Pulmonary interstitial emphysema
(e) Wilson Mikity Syndrome
(d) Pulmonary interstitial emphysema
PIE is typically due to positive-pressure ventilation leading to air leaks from the bronchi to the interstitium. PIE makes the lungs ‘stiff’ and more difficult to ventilate and leads to overinflated lungs, with the potential for pneumothorax or pneumo-mediastinum. BPD is diagnosed clinically as oxygen dependency at 28 days of age or 36 corrected weeks of gestation.
- A four year old girl presents with persistent left upper lobe pneumonia with a fingerlike opacity projecting from the hilum. The most likely diagnosis is:
a. Bronchial atresia
b. Intralobar sequestration
c. Staphylococcal pneumonia
d. Congenital lobar emphysema
e. Bronchogenic cyst
- a. Bronchial atresia
The site and features described are characteristic of bronchial atresia.
- A five month old baby presents with failure to thrive and respiratory distress. Plain radiograph demonstrates a left basal homogenous opacity devoid of air bronchograms. Which of the following is least likely on further imaging?
a. Radionuclide angiography does not demonstrate perfusion in the pulmonary phase
b. Invested in its own pleura
c. Co-existing anomalies are common
d. It is usually supplied by branches from the descending aorta
e. Commonly drains into the left atrium
- e. Commonly drains into the left atrium
Extralobar sequestration is usually seen in early childhood and demonstrates all the above features, but the venous drainage is into the right atrium through systemic veins.
(Chest) 14. A 26 year old undergoes a routine chest radiograph as part of the Australian residency application. The left upper lobe is hyperlucent and hyperexpanded and a lobular mass is demonstrated adjacent to the left hilum. CT reveals the presence of a dilated bronchus containing a plug of soft tissue. The surrounding lung is emphysematous. The most likely diagnosis is:
a. Central carcinoid tumour
b. Bronchogenic cyst
c. Bronchial atresia
d. Cystic adenomatoid malformation
e. Congenital lobar emphysema
- c. Bronchial atresia
The case describes bronchial atresia with mucoid impaction. Bronchial atresia is a congenital abnormality that is usually discovered incidentally. It results in local obliteration of the proximal lumen of a segmental bronchus. The apicoposterior segment of the left upper lobe is most commonly affected. Airways distal to the atretic segment continue to produce mucous which can lead to mucoid impaction/mucocoele. The airways distal to the atretic segment also develop normally and are ventilated by collateral air shift. This results in the affected lobe appearing hyperexpanded, oligaemic and hyperlucent.
Congenital lobar emphysema can look similar, however there is usually no mucous plug and patients tend to present early.
- A 14 year old with thalassaemia presents with mild breathlessness. The only abnormality on the chest radiograph is a well-rounded opacity without any air bronchograms. The likely location would be:
a. Perihilar
b. Anterior mediastinal
c. Abutting the chest wall
d. Paravertebral
e. Apical
- d. Paravertebral
Extramedullary haemopoiesis can present as uni/bilateral rounded masses in the lower paravertebral region commonly between T8 and T12.
- A four year old child with a known malignancy presents with multiple pulmonary metastases. Which of the following is the most likely radiological description of the primary lesion?
a. CT of the abdomen demonstrating a large mass in the left flank displacing the kidney inferiorly with stippled calcification
b. CT of the abdomen demonstrating a large low-attenuation hepatic mass pre-contrast which demonstrates early and avid enhancement post-contrast
c. CT of the abdomen demonstrating a low-attenuation hepatic mass with rim enhancement
d. Plain radiograph of the right femur revealing a moth-eaten permeative lesion
e. A well-circumscribed heterogeneous mass in the left kidney which enhances to a lesser degree than the kidney
- e. A well-circumscribed heterogeneous mass in the left kidney which enhances to a lesser degree than the kidney
Neuroblastoma (a) presents earlier and is more likely to metastasise to the liver, whilst this is the right age for Wilms tumour (e) to metastasise to the lung.
Haemangioendothelioma (b) presents in early infancy with heart failure.
Hepatoblastoma (c) also presents earlier and is less common than Wilms tumour, although it does metastasise to the lung.
- A neonate presents with respiratory distress a week after birth. Plain radiograph demonstrates a hazy opacity in the left upper zone. Follow-up radiograph a few days later demonstrates clearing up of the opacity noted previously and a hyperlucent underlying lung with evidence of a contralateral shift. Which of the following is not a likely cause for the findings?
a. Bronchial dysplasia
b. Inspissated mucous
c. Patent ductus arteriosus
d. Anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery
e. Bronchial web
- d. Anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery.
The features described are those of congenital lobar emphysema, which may result from all the above apart from anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery, which usually does not result in tracheobronchial indentation.
- A 15 year old girl referred for a chest radiograph demonstrates a large well-rounded mediastinal mass. CT suggests a teratoma. Which of the following is true?
a. They are often inseparable from the thymus
b. They are always anterior mediastinal
c. Rim enhancement indicates malignancy
d. A fat-fluid level is a common and specific sign
e. Homogenous soft-tissue density precludes a diagnosis of teratoma
- a. They are often inseparable from the thymus
Mature teratoma can be seen in the posterior mediastinum and may demonstrate rim enhancement. A fat-fluid level is a specific sign but is uncommon. They may occasionally have a homogenous soft-tissue appearance and be indistinguishable from lymphoma.
@# 41. A seven year old girl with repeated chest infections and chronic cough presents with another episode of acute exacerbation. She is known to have raised sodium and chloride in her sweat. Which of the following features is least likely on an HRCT of her chest?
a. Cylindrical bronchiectasis
b. Centrilobular emphysema
c. Segmental/subsegmental atelectasis
d. Branching intrabronchial soft tissue
e. Hilar lymphadenopathy
- b. Centrilobular emphysema
All the features described are of cystic fibrosis except centrilobular emphysema. They usually develop paraseptal emphysema.