Radiology Block 2 Flashcards
What are the 5 factors for determining a chest x-rays adequacy?
Penetration Angulation Inspiration Rotation Magnification
How are frontal radiographs determined to have adequate penetration?
Visualization of thoracic spine through heart shadow
What is a pitfall of an under penetrated/inadequate x-ray?
Can not visualize thoracic spine through cardiac shadow
Underpenetrated x-ray= ?
Over penetrated x-ray= ?
Under= too light, hides L lung base, accentuates lung markings Over= too dark, may mimic emphysema/pnemothorax
What are two errors that can occur from underpenetrated x-rays?
L hemidiaphragm no visible on frontal image which mimics/hides diseases in L lower lung
Inc prominence of pulmonary markings leading to incorrect CHF/pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis
What is a pitfall of an over penetrated x-ray?
Too dark/absent
Incorrect diagnosis of emphysema/pneumothorax
How is the degree of inspiration assessed in chest x-rays?
Counting number of posterior ribs visible above the diaphragm on a frontal x-ray
What are the characteristic appearances of posterior/anterior ribs and an x-ray?
Post: inc appearance on frontal x-ray
More/less horizontal
Attach to thoracic vertebrae
Ant: more difficult to ID on frontal image
Angle downward
Attach to sternal cartilage
What are the pitfalls of a x-ray taken with poor inspiration?
Crowded lung markings Mistaken for pneumonia/basilar lung disease
Heart appears larger
PT rotation on a chest x-ray affects the appearance of what four structures?
Heart contour
Hila
Hemidiaphragm
Great vessels
Virtually all of the lung markings on the chest radiographs are composed of what?
Pulmonary blood vessels
Bronchi are too thing to be visible
How does normal pulmonary vasculature appear on radiographs?
Tapers gradually from center to peripheral with larger vessel area near base than apex in an upright x-ray
The retrosternal clear space can be filled in with what type of abnormalities?
Anterior mediastinal mass
Adenopathy- lymphoma is most common
Pulmonary arteries are normally seen in what region and on what view of an x-ray?
Hila on lateral view
Possible tumor or adenopathy
Minor fissure is normally visible on a ____ view
Frontal
Major and minor can be seen on a lateral view
Define Spine Sign
Increased density that highlights the thoracic spine instead of making it darker
How are the hemidiaphragms seen on lateral views?
Left will be silhouetted anteriorly by the heart
Right is higher and can be seen from front to back
What are two examples that would blunt the costophrenic angles?
Pleural effusions
Scarring
How are quick assessments of heart size made for adults?
Cardiothoracic ratio
Widest transverse diameter compared to widest internal diameter of rib cage
What is the first response to obstructions in the ventricles?
Hypertrophy
On plain films, how is cardiomegaly primarily produces?
Ventricular enlargement
The most marked chamber enlargement of the heart will be caused by what?
Volume overload, not pressure
What are the six levels of the chest for a normal CT anatomy scan of the heart?
Five vessel view Aortic arch Aortapulmonary window Main pulmonary window Upper cardiac level Lower cardiac level
What two additional adjuncts are used with cardiac CTs?
IV iodine contrast
ECG gated acquisition
Cardiac CT scanning is used to evaluate what structures?
Coronary arteries
Cardiac masses
Aorta abnormalities/dissection
Pericardial diseases
How is coronary artery dominance established?
The artery that supplies the posterior descending artery
Majority of population- R coronary dominant
PTs presenting with acute chest pain can have an emergent CT scan to search for what abnormalities?
Coronary artery disease
Aortic dissection
Pulmonary thromboembolic disease
AKA- Triple Rule out scan
MRIs of the heart can shows what types of damage?
MI scarring
Heart perfusion
Anatomic defects/masses
Function of valves/chambers
What are the specific views used on an MRI of the heart to gather data?
Horizontal long axis- 4 chamber view
Vertical long axis
Short axis
Three chamber view
Cardiac function is usually evaluated with ?
Cardiac morphology is evaluated with ?
MRIs
Function- white blood images
Morphology- black blood
Parenchymal lung disease can be divided into what two categories?
Airspace- aveolar
Interstitial- infiltrative
What are the characteristics of airspace diseases?
Fluffy
Indistinct margins
Possible air bronchograms/silhouette sign
Air bronchogram is usually a _______ disease
Airspace
Define Silhoutette sign
What causes this?
Two objects with same radiographic densities contact each other, normal edges disappear
A silhouette sign can be used throughout radiology for what two purposes?
Abnormality location
Abnormality density
Give 3 examples of airspace diseases
Pulmonary aveolar edema
Pneumonia
Aspiration
What are the seven types of interstitial lung diseases?
Interstitial edema/pneumonia Bronchogenic carcinoma Metastases Pulmonary fibrosis Sarcoidosis
What is an examples of a disease that demonstrates both airspace and interstitial lung patterns?
TB
What are the four differential possibilities for an opacified hemithorax?
Altelactasis of entire lung
Large pleural effusion
Entire lung pneumonia
Postpneumonectomy
What are the 3 mobile strctures that can be pulled or pushed in the chest?
Trachea
Heart
Hemidiaphragm
What is the direction of shift during atelectasis, pleural effusions, and pneumonia?
Atel- toward (vol loss)
Eff- away (acts like mass)
Pneumo- none (bronchogasms may be present)
Shift of malignant effusion may be masked by what other counter-disorder?
Balanced from underlying/obstructive bronchogenic carcinoma
What are the four common types of atelectasis?
Subsegmental (disc/plate-like)- splinting PT due to deactivation of surfactant
Compressive/passive- collapsed from effusion/pneumo
Obstructive
Round- atelectasis recedes, lung remains uninflated
When is subsegmental atelectasis usually seen?
PTs not taking deep breath (splinting)
Produces linear density at lung base
What are the signs of the obstructive atelectasis?
Displaced fissures
Inc density of affected lung
Shift of structures to atelectasis
Compensatory over inflation of unaffected lung
Pleural effusions collect in what area and are usually what type?
Potential space
Transudate / exudate- depending on LDH and protein content
How much fluid is required to blunt the posterior costophrenic angles?
How much is needed to blunt the lateral angles?
How much opacifies the hemithorax?
75mL
200-300mL
2L
Most pleural effusion begin by collecting in what area?
Hemidiaphragm/base of lung
Called subpulmonic effusion
Define Loculated
Adhesion where fluid assumes abnormal appearance in abnormal location
Define Pseudotumor
Type of effusion, transudate, occurs in minor fissure
Frequently secondary to CHF
How are Laminar Effusions best recognized?
What causes them?
At lung base above costophrenic angles on frontal xray.
CHF or lymphangitic spread of malignancy
Density on lateral chest wall near angle, wont move with PT shifts
How are Hydrophneumothorax ID’d on xray?
Upright view xray with straight air fluid interface instead of meniscus shape of pleural fluid
How does pneumonia present on a chest xray?
More opaque
Fluffy and indistinct margins
Homogenous density
Possible air bronchograms and atelectasis
How does segmental pneumonia appear on x-rays?
Multi-focal
No bronchograms
Volume loss may be present
Interstitial pneumonia involves what structures and has what type of appearance?
Involves airway walls and alveolar septae
Reticular pattern
May produce airway Dz
Round pneumonia effects what PT population and occupies what area?
Effects children
Lower, posterior lobes
Cavitary pneumonia is usually caused by ? and occupies what area
TB- causes Lucent cavities/necrosis
Postprimary TB- affects upper lobes
Aspiration usually occurs in what areas of the lung?
Upright PT- lower lobe
Recumbent PT- superior lower lobes, posterior of upper lobes
How can pneumonia be localized on an x-ray?
Silhouette sign
Spine side
Define Vacuolization
Pneumonia resolve by breaking up so patchy areas of aerated lung appears in previous pneumonia locations
What types of masses can be seen in the anterior mediastinum
Thyroid
Lymphoma
Thymoma
Tertoma
What types of masses can be seen in the middle mediastinum
Lymphadenopathy from lymphoma or metastatic disease
What types of masses can be seen in the posterior mediastinum
Neurogenic tumors originating from nerve sheaths
Incidental solitary pulmonary nodule less than what size are rarely malignant?
What does this change?
4mm
50% over 50 y/o are malignant
What are four pieces of info that can be used for criteria to evaluate a mass’s benignity?
Size
Calcification
Margin
Change
Bronchiogenic carcinomas can present in what three ways?
Visualize tumor
Effects of obstruction (pneumonia/atelectasis)
ID of direct/metastatic spread to distal organs
Small cell carinoma is what type of cell that is usually associated with what two types of paraneoplastic syndromes?
Neurosecretory
Cushing’s
Inappropriate ADH secretion
Multiple nodules in the lung are usually caused by ?
Metastatic lesion from hematogenous spread, cannonball appearance
Lymphangitic carcinomas produce patterns that radiologically similar to ?
Pulmonary interstitial edema from CHF
EXCEPT, only involves a single segment/lung
Why do conventional radiograph’s have a high false-negative rate in pulmonary thromboembolitic diseases?
Inability to demonstrate Hampton’s Hump, Westermark sign, Knuckle sign
What is used to diagnose pulmonary embolsim
CT pulmonary angiography
COPD consists of what two disorders?
Emphysema- pathologically defined, seen on CT and x-ray
Chronic bronchitis- clinical diagnosis
Bullae and cysts are filled with ?
Air filled lesions in lungs
What is the study of choice for evaluating bronchiectasis?
What are the classical findings?
CT study of choice
Demonstrates Signet Ring Sign, Tram-Tracks, cystic lesion and tubular densities
PA radiographs have what 4 blind spots
Retro sternal
Retro cardiac
Hilar region
Posterior hemi diaphragm
What are the criterias for cardiomegaly on AP/Lat films?
PA- 50% of width
Lat- cardiac shadow overlaps spine
What are 3 causes of apparent heart enlargement?
Pericardial effusions
Extra cardiac factors
Cardiomegaly
What are the causes of apparent heart enlargement from pericardial effusions?
CHF Infections Metastatic malignancy Uremic pericarditis Lupus Trauma Postpericardiotomy Syndrome
What are the causes of apparent heart enlargement from extra-cardiac factors?
AP projection Suboptimal inspiration Chest wall abnormalities Rotation Fluid collction
What are causes of apparent heart enlargements from CHF factors?
Pulmonary interstitial edema
Pulmonary alveolar edema
Appearance of pulmonary interstitial edema
Thickened interlobar septa
Peribronchial cuffing
Fluid in fissure
Pleural effusions
Appearance of alveolar edema
Fluffy/indistinct densities Batwing/butterfly Pleural effusions No bronchograms Cardiac origin= effusions causing thickened major and minor fissures
5 areas to inspect on lateral images for any general image?
The Fastest Hot Rods Drive Straight Thoracic Fissures Hilum Retrosternal Diaphragms Sulci
Minor fissure is aka
Major fissure is aka
Transverse- visible on frontal
Oblique- not on frontal image
Hypertensive cardiovascular disease will causes what structural change that can be seen on x-rays?
Straightened aorta
What are the 3 types of Cardiomyopathy
Dilated- most common
Hypertrophic
Restrictive
Dilated cardiomyopathy effects what structures of theheart?
Biventricular
Define Parenchymal
Effecting the functional tissue of an organ
Mediastinal mass that affects younger PTs
Teratomas
Thymomas- middle aged adults, benign
What are the characteristics of Panicenar pattern of COPD?
Destruction in distal lobes
PTs w/ A1-Anti-trypsin dysfunction
What structures are hidden in the right lung by what disease location/issue
Ascending aorta- R upper lobe
R heart border- R middle lobe
R hemidiaphragm- R lower lobe
What structures are hidden in the left lung by what disease location/issue
Descending aorta- L upper/lower lobe
L heart border- Lingula of L lobe
Left hemidiaphragm- L lower lobe
What are the signs of an atelectasis?
Displaced fissure Inc density of affected lung Shift of mobile structures Over inflation Points towards hilum
What are the 4 types of atelectasis
Subsegmental
Compressive
Round
Obstructive
What are the indications to seek further imaging modalities for atelectasis?
Entire lung Lobular more than 2 days Segmental more than 2 wks Round Mass/tumor findings
What are the causes of pleural effusions?
Inc rate of formation:
Inc hydrostatic press
Inc capillary permeability
Dec colloid osmotic press
Dec rate of reabsorption:
Lymph blockage
Dec pressure in pleural space
What are the causes of transudate pleural effusions?
Inc hydrostatic press/dec osmostic press CHF Hypoalbuminemia Cirrhosis Nephrotic Syndrome
What are the causes of exudative pleural effusions?
Malignancy
Empyema
Hemothorax
Chylothorax
What are the visual appearances of pleural effusions?
Subpulmonic effusion Blunting of angles Meniscus sign Opacified hemithorax Loculated effusions Laminar effusions Hydropneumothroax
How do loculated effusions appear on x-rays?
Adhesions between pleura trapping fluid in unusual patterns
curves inward into lung space
Fissural pseudotumors are usually associated with ?
CHF
What is the most common sign/cause of fissural pseudotumors?
Fluid trapped between layers of minor fissure
What are the visual appearances of pneumonia on an x-ray?
More opaque than normal lung Fluffy/indistinct margins Interstitial pneumonia= interstitial tissue prominences Homogenous density Lobular pneumonia= air bronchograms
What are the patterns of pneumonia?
Lobular Segmental Interstitial Round Cavitary Consolidation
What is the pattern of Lobar pneumonia
Homogenous consolidation of affected lobe w/ air bronchogram and silhouette sign
What is the pattern of Segmental pneumonia
Patch airspace of several segments
What is the pattern of Interstitial pneumonia
Diffusely spread early in process
Frequently progresses to airspace Dz
What is the pattern of Round pneumonia
Spherical shapes in lower lobes of kids
What is the pattern of Cavitary pneumonia
Post-Primary TB
How does aspiration pneumonia differ?
Upright- lower lobes
Recumbent- superior lower lobes/posterior upper lobes
What are the differences between Primary and Secondary pneumothorax?
Primary- occurs in normal lung
Secondary- diseased lung
What is the difference between Simple and Tesnion pneumothorax?
Simple- no shift of structures
Tension- shifted structures
What is the difference between spontaneous and traumatic and diseased pneumothorax?
Spontaneous- rupture of apical, subpleural bleb or bulla (tall, thin males)
Trauma- most common cause (accidental/latrogenic)
What is the most important determinant in deciding whether PTs need a chest tubes or not?
Assessing clinical status
Greater than 2cm- chest tube
Less than- no tube
What issue presents with a comb-like, striated appearance?
Subcutaneous Emphysema- air along muscle bundles
Difference between Nodule and Mass?
Nodule- less than 3cm
Mass- greater than 3cm
What are the benign causes of solitary nodules/masses?
Granuloma
Hamartomas
Categories of nodules less than 4mm
Low- no f/u
High- 12mon f/u
Categories of nodules 4-6mm
Low- 12mon f/u
High- CT at 6-12mon and 18-24mon
Categories of nodules 6-8mm
Low- CT at 6-12 and 18-24mon
High- CT at 3-6mon and 9-12mon
Categories of nodules greater than 8mm?
CT at 3 9 and 24mon
What does calcification of a nodule/mass mean?
Benign= central, laminar, diffuse calcification
What do changes in a nodule/mass over a week, mid-range or year mean?
Week- inflammatory
Mid- malignant
Year+= benign
What are the characteristics of Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Upper/central location
Segmental/lobar
Cause obstructive pneumonitis/atelectasis
Rapid growth
What are the characteristics of Adenocarcinoma?
Small, peripheral growth
Solitary
Slowest grower
What are the characteristics of Small Cell, Oat Cell Carcinomas?
Central location, bilateral
Inappropriate secretion of ADH
What are the characteristics of Large Cell Carcinoma
Diagnosis of exclusion for lesions that are nonsmall cell and not squamout or adenocarcinoma
Larger peripheral lesion
Extremely rapid grower
Most PTs presenting with air way nodule/mass will have ?
Those presenting with bronchial obstructions usually have?
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
PTs presenting with direct extension or metastatic lesions will have what identifiers?
Rib destruction Hilar adenopathy Mediastinal adenopathy Pleural effusion Metastases to bone
Define a Pancoast Tumor
Rib destruction from apical lung tumor
Metastatic neoplasms have what characteristics depending on if it was hematogenous or lymph spread
Hema- vary in size, sharp margins
Lymph- Kerley B lines, thickened fissures, most common in breast, lung, pancreas
Thromboembolic diseases usually occur in what PT populations?
+60y/o
From DVT
Immobilized/post-surgery
Thromboembolic diseases are historically assessed with what modality of imaging?
CT
VQ scan
75% of PTs with pulmonary embolism present with what 4 S/Sx?
Elevated hemi-diaphragm
Unilateral pleural effusion
Enlarged pulmonary artery
Infiltrate
What are the 2 uncommon findings in PTs with PEs?
Westermark’s Sign- region of oligemia
Hamptons Hump
Define Westermark’s Sign
Focused decrease blood flow leading to collapse of vessel distal to PE
Define Hapton’s Hump
Shallow wedge shaped opacity in peripheral lung tissue with base against pleural surface that represents hemorrhage and necrotic lung tissue
What are the 3 pathological patterns of emphysema
Centriacinar
Panacinar
Paraseptal
Define COPD
Disease of airflow obstruction caused by chronic bronchitis or emphysema
Define Chronic Bronchitis
Productive cough
Define Emphysema
Permanent and abnormal destruction of air spaces distal to terminal bronchioles
What are the classic x-ray findings of COPD
Hyperinflation Flattened Diaphragm Increased retrosternal clear space Hyperfluency of lungs Prominences of pulmonary arteries
Define Centriacinar emphysema
Most common, strong association with smoking
Focal destruction to bronchioles and central acinus
Define Panlobular emphysema
Entire alveolus distal to terminal bronchiole
Most severe in lower lung zones and develops in PTs with A-1antitrypsin deficiency
Define Paraseptal Emphysema
Distal airway structures, alveolar ducts, and sacs
Develops around septae or subpleural surfaces
Centriacinar emphysema usually occurs where in the lung?
Upper lobes
Smokers w/ chronic bronchitis
Paraseptal emphysema tends to occur more often in what PT population
Young adult w/ history of spontaneous pneumos from formation of bullae
NOT associated with airflow obstruction
Obstructive atelectasis produces what changes to a chest x-ray?
Blocked side will be more radiopaque and pulled to that side
Difference between Bullae and Blebs
Bullae- central air containing lesions
Bleb- peripheral
Bullae more than 1cm are associated with ?
Emphysema
Occur in lung parenchyma
Blebs are small bullae that usually form where?
What are the thought to be associated with?
Visceral pleura at lung apex
Seen on CT, not x-ray
Associated with spot pneumos
What are the 3 most common causes of cavities?
Carcinoma
Pyogenic abscess
TB
Define Bronchiectasis
Localized irreversible dilation of bronchial tree with thickened walls best eval’d by CT
What x-ray sign may be identified with bronchiectasis
Tram-tracks
What is the hallmark lesion on CT for bronchiectasis
Signet Ring Sign
Bronchus is larger than pulmonary artery
Progressive, bilateral upper love bronchiectasis in children is highly suggestive of what issue?
CF
Hollow lung space that is less than 1mm? 1-3mm? Greater than 3mm?
Less than 1= bullae/bleb
1-3= cyst
3+= cavity
What are the extracardiac causes that make the heart appear larger than actual size?
AP portable
Preventative deep inhalation
Bony thorax abnormalities
Pericardial effusion
What are the 4 key findings in pulmonary interstitial edema?
Thickened interlobar septa
Peribronchial cuffing
Fluid in fissures
Pleural effusions
What are the four findings of pulmonary alveolar edema?
Fluffy/indistinct patches
Bat wing
Pleural effusions
Bilateral, peripheral
What is more likely to be found with Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema?
Pleural effusion
Kerly B lines
Cardiomegaly
Inc wedge pressures
What are the Noncardiogenic causes of pulmonary edema?
Uremia Intravascular coagulopathy Smoke inhalation Near drowning Volume overload Lymph spread of malignancy
ARDS is classified as what type of pulmonary edema?
Noncardiogenic
Pulmonary arterial HTN produces what key sign?
Pruning of pulmonary vasculature