Radiology Terminology and Interpretation Flashcards
Radiolucent
Dark pattern > Normal lungs
Radiodense/ opacity
Example
White areas, fluid and solid
Example: pleural effusion
Infiltrates
Example:
Scattered patchy white areas
Example: atelectasis
Consolidation
Example:
Well-defined solid appearing light (white cotton)
Example: PNA and pleural effusion
Hyperlucency
Example:
Dark area caused by presence of air
Example: Emphysema/ Subcutaneous Emphysema, Asthma
Vascular Markings
Examples:
Vessels that are less prominent or not visable
Example: Pulmonary Edema, CHF (increased)
Pneumothorax (decreased)
Diffusion
Example:
Widely spread or scattered
Example: PNA
Opaque
(bone)
Bilateral
Example:
on both sides
Example: PNA
Unilateral
Example:
affecting one side
Example: PNA, , foreign body obstruction
Air bronchogram means mucus plug which =
atelectasis
Descriptions of Atelectasis (4)
- plate like infiltrates
- crowding air bronchograms
- patchy infiltrates
- trache shifts towards (right) the affective side (pulls)
How do we treat Atlectasis (2)
- I.S
- IPPB
Descriptions of ARDS (5)
- reticular granular nodules
- diffuse bilateral radiopaque
- white-out
- ground glass
- honey comb pattern
How do we treat ARDS?
- ARDSNET (High PEEP, Low Vt)
Descriptions of Pleural Effusion (think of diaphragm)
What X-ray do we use?
Blunted (obliterated) costophernic angles
(laterial decubitus xray)
- Mediastinal shift
How do we treat pleural effusion (2)
- Thoracentesis
- Chest tube
Descriptions of PNA (3)
- Consolidation
- Air bronchogram
- Increased density
How do we treat PNA
- Antibiotics (# 1)
- Supplemental O2
Descriptions of Pneumothorax (3)
- Trache Shifting AWAY (left) from the affective side (push)
- No vascular markings
- Hyperlucency
How do we treat a Pneumothorax (3)
- Neddle aspiration (Thorencentesis)
- Placement of chest tube
- Supplemental O2
Descriptions of Pulmonary Edema (4)
- Fluffy light infiltrates
- Butterfly patterns
- Bat wings
- Kerly B lines
How do we treat pulmonary edema
- Diuretics (digoxin)
- O2
- Pressure (NPPV/ CPAP)
Descriptions of Pulmonary Embolism (PE) 2
- peripherial widge infiltrates
- Decreased lung volumes
How do we treat a PE?
Anticoagulation (Heparin or Warfrain)
Descriptions of Tuberculosis (TB)
- Cavity formation
- calcification
- Gohn complex
- fibrosis
How do we treat TB?
- Antituberculosis drugs
- Supplemental O2
How many ribs are you able to count on a good inspiratory film
9-11 ribs
How do we know there is an increase in heart size on a chest x-ray
more than half of the size of the thoraic cavity
