Radiology System: CXR interpretation Flashcards
How do you take a CXR in PA view?
Patient standing:
As close to film as possible
Holds deep inspiration
XR taken
XRs enter patient from Posterior à Anterior
How is a AP CXR taken?
XR machine in front of the patient
XR cassette placed behind a seated patient
(or beneath a supine patient)
XRs enter patient from Anterior à Posterior
Steps in viewing a CXR
Orientation of XR- This is a chest Xray on an adult female
Patient details- Name of patient
Date
View- PA CXR. AP CXR
Patient Position
Quality- Do not comment on quality as radiographers have done the best they can
Inspection
What does the order look like of the CXR?
Name/marker/rotation/ penetration
Lines/metal work
Heart
Mediastinum
Lungs- Zones (upper/middle/lower)
Bones
Diaphragm
Soft Tissues
What is the name/marker/rotation/penetration
What are the lines/metal work?
Sternal wires (implies previous thoracic surgery
What are the lines/metal work look at?
Tip of central venous lines at origin of superior vena cava
What is this?
What does the heart occupy?
Occupies up to 50% of the maximum internal thoracic diameter on a standard PA erect view
Cannot comment on heart size on AP view because of magnification of heart
What is the mediastinum?
Hilar vascular structures should be crisply defined
No widening of mediastinum
What do you look for in the bones?
Look at each rib in turn (anterior and posterior)
Clavicles
Scapulae and humeri if visible
Lower cervical and thoracic spine
What does the diaphragm from?
Both diaphragms should form a sharp margin with the lateral chest wall
Both diaphragm contours should be clearly visible medially to the spine
Stomach gas bubble
What is the soft tissues?
Supraclavicular fossae (enlarged nodes)
Lateral chest wall (surgical emphysema)
Under diaphragm (pneumoperitoneum)
