Thoracic 1 Flashcards
How can you differentiate the L and R ribs on a lateral chest X-ray?
Left ribs are smaller with sharper edges
Note: Lateral CXRs are taken in the left lateral position, meaning the left ribs are against the detector.
How can you differentiate L and R diaphragms on a lateral CXR?
- Left has stomach bubble under
- Left is not seen anteriorly (due to heart)
- Left is lower
What structure appears as “the dark hole” on a lateral CXR?
The left upper lobe bronchus (en face)
How can you differentiate the L and R main pulmonary arteries on a lateral CXR?
L pulmonary artery is posterior to “the dark hole” (en face bronchus)
R pa is anterior (and also more inferior)
Note: “L”osers to the back.
Retrotracheal triangle
Dark triangle behind the trachea on the lateral CXR (above the aortic arch and anterior to the spine)
Note: This should always be black.
Common reason for an opacified retrotracheal triangle
Aberrant right subclavian artery
Note: The retrotracheal triangle is the (usually) dark triangle behind the trachea on the lateral CXR (above the aortic arch and anterior to the spine).
Which “hilar point” should be superior?
The left hilar point should be ~1 cm above the right hilarity point on CXR
Note: The hilar point is the medially oriented “V” at the hill: > <
On lateral CXR, which major fissure is anterior?
The right major fissure is anterior to the left
How many layers of pleura make up an azygos lobe fissure?
4 (2 visceral and 2 parietal)
How many bronchopulmonary segments are there on the right?
10 (3 upper, 2 middle, and 5 lower)
How many bronchopulmonary segments are there on the left?
8 (4 upper and 4 lower)
What are the bronchopulmonary segments on the right?
- R upper (apical, posterior, anterior)
- R middle (medial and lateral)
- R lower (superior, anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral)
What are the bronchopulmonary segments on the left?
- L upper (apicoposterior, anterior, superior singular, and inferior lingular)
- L lower (superior, anteromedial, lateral, posterior)
Pig bronchus
AKA tracheal bronchus, a normal variant where the right upper lobe bronchus originates directly from the trachea
Note: May cause recurrent RUL pneumonia.
Cardiac bronchus
An accessory bronchus that originates from the right bronchus intermedius
Note: It is usually blind ending, but may cause recurrent infections.
What separates the superior mediastinum from the rest of the mediastinum?
A plane at the level of the sternomanubrial junction (also at the level of T4)
What is the posterior border of the anterior mediastinal space?
Pericardium
What is in the middle mediastinum?
- The heart
- Roots of central vessels (e.g. aorta)
- Tracheal bifurcation
- Phrenic nerves
What are the borders of the posterior mediastinum?
- Posterior pericardium
- Spine (anterior longitudinal ligament)
Note: Contains the esophagus, lower thoracic duct, and descending aorta.
What is the most anterior structure in the superior mediastinum?
The thymus
What is the normal number of pulmonary veins?
4
- R superior
- R inferior
- L superior
- L inferior
Note: This is highly variable.
Supernumerary pulmonary veins predispose to…
Atrial fibrillation
What is the most common supernumerary vein?
Right middle
What is the most common vein sleeve to cause atrial fibrillation?
Left superior pulmonary vein
What is a common ostium (in the context of pulmonary veins)?
A common origin of the left superior and inferior pulmonary veins (can also occur on the right)
Note: This is important to identify preop so that the common ostium isn’t ligated if you only want to remove the left upper lobe.
What are the 4 major etiologies of atelectasis?
- Obstructive (AKA absorptive)
- Compressive (AKA relaxation/passive)
- Fibrotic (AKA cicatrization)
- Adhesive
Common causes of obstructive atelectasis
- Obstructing neoplasm
- Mucous plugging
- Foreign body aspiration
Common causes of compressive atelectasis
- Pleural effusion
- Mass
- Hiatal hernia
- Large pulmonary bleb
Common causes of cicatrization atelectasis
Anything that causes fibrosis (e.g. tuberculosis and other infections, radiation scarring, etc.)
Note: Cicatrization occurs when fibrosis doesn’t allow the lung to fully expand.
Common causes of adhesive atelectasis
Insufficient surfactant:
- Respiratory distress syndrome (in preterm infants)
- ARDS
- Pulmonary embolism (loss of blood flow and lack of CO2 prevents surfactant from working)
What are the direct signs of atelectasis?
- Displacement of the fissures
- Crowding of vessels/bronchi in the atelectatic area
What are indirect signs of atelectasis?
- Opacified collapsed lung with a typical appearance
- Negative mass effect (e.g. shifting hilarity points up/down, tenting of the diaphragm, mediastinal shifting, rib space narrowing, etc.)
How can you differentiate acute vs chronic atelectasis?
Acute atelectasis tends to cause diaphragmatic/mediastinal/hilar displacement
Chronic atelectasis has less negative mass effect due to hyper expansion of the remaining lung (which appears as oligemia)
RUL collapse
Look for: RUL opacity, upward bowing of minor fissure, elevated right hilum
RUL collapse
Look for: RUL opacity, upward bowing of minor fissure, elevated right hilum, anterior bowing of superior oblique fissure
RML collapse
Look for: loss of the right heart border, downward bowing of the minor fissure
RML collapse
Look for: Anterior linear density over the heart
RLL collapse
Look for: Density at the right heart border, but right heart border is NOT silhouetted out, mediastinal vessels pulled to the right so far there is a triangle of black between them and the mediastinum (superior triangle sign)
RLL collapse
LUL collapse
Look for: Luftsichel sign, non visualization of the aortic knob, peaking of left diaphragm
LLL collapse
Look for: Opacity hidden behind heart, “flat waist sign” (linear appearance of the left heart border)
S sign of golden
A reverse S-shaped appearance of the minor fissure due to a centrally obstructing mass causing RUL collapse
Chronic right middle lobe collapse, think…
Lady Windermere syndrome (chronic MAI infection in an elderly woman who is too proper to cough)
Note: Look for small nodules and bronchiectasis with additional involvement of the lingual.
CXR showing loss of the right diaphragm and loss of the right heart border…
Think RLL and RML collapse
Luftsichel sign
A crescent of air surrounding the aortic knob (a sign of left upper lobe collapse)
Luftsichel sign (LUL collapse)
Hilum overlay sign
If you can see the hilar vessels through an overlying mass on CXR, then the mass is not in the hilum (it is anterior or posterior to the hilum)
Cervicothoracic sign
Any mass that extends above the clavicles is not in the anterior mediastinum (which ends at the clavicles)
What produces the posterior junction line on CXR?
Airspaces of the left and right lungs touching posterior to the trachea
Incomplete border sign on CXR
A peripheral mass with an incomplete border may be pleural or chest wall based (pulmonary masses should have a crisp border around the entire mass)
Classic presentation of Strep pneumo pulmonary infection?
Lobar consolidation
Note: Can be severe in sickle cell pts post splenectomy.
Classic presentation of Staph aureus pulmonary infection?
Bronchopneumonia (patchy opacities), often bilateral and may produce an abscess
Classic presentation of anthrax pulmonary infection?
Mediastinal widening and a pleural effusion in the setting of bio-terrorism
Note: This is due to hemorrhagic lymphadenitis, mediastinitis, and hemothorax.
Classic presentation of Klebsiella pulmonary infection?
“bulging fissure” due to exuberant inflammation (and more likely to have pleural effusions, empyemas, and cavitations) in an alcoholic or nursing home pt (aspiration risk)
Note: “currant jelly sputum”
Classic presentation of H influenza pulmonary infection?
Bronchitis in COPD pts and people without a spleen, but can also present as bilateral lower lobe bronchopneumonia (patchy opacities)
Classic presentation of pseudomonas pulmonary infection?
Patchy opacities with abscess formation in high risk pts (ventilated ICU pts, cystic fibrosis, or primary ciliary dyskinesia)
Classic presentation of Legionella pulmonary infection?
Peripheral and sublobar airspace opacity often in COPD pts or epidemic from water towers/air conditioners
Note: Only cavities in immunosuppressed pts.
Classic presentation of aspiration pneumonia?
Airspace opacities (cavitation and abscess are common) in the dependent portions of the lung
Which portions of the lung are most likely to develop aspiration pneumonia?
Posterior upper lobes and superior lower lobes (if pt supine during aspiration)
Basal lower lobes, lingual, and middle lobe (if pt upright during aspiration)
Note: More likely on the right than left.
Classic presentation of Actinomyces pulmonary infection?
Airspace opacities in the peripheral lower lobes +/- rib osteomyelitis/invasion of chest wall
Note: Classic story is a dental procedure gone bad, leading to mandibular osteomyelitis and aspiration.
Classic presentation of Mycoplasma pulmonary infection?
Fine reticular pattern on CXR and patchy airspace opacities with tree-in-bud nodules
Most common community-acquired pneumonia in 5-20 y/o?
Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma pneumonia is associated with what syndrome?
Sayer-James syndrome (classically appearing as a unilateral Lucent lung due to hyperinflation)
To exclude an underlying mass, a follow up CXR is recommended following pneumonia to confirm resolution when?
6 weeks later (young pt)
3 months later (elderly pt)
Classic appearance of graft vs host disease in the lungs s/p bone marrow transplant?
Bronchiolitis obliterates (seen as air trapping: mosaic attenuation on expiratory imaging)
Note: This usually occurs in the chronic (>100 days) phase of graft vs host disease.
Pulmonary findings s/p bone marrow transplant are divided into what three timeframes?
- Early neutropenic (0-30 days)
- Early (30-90 days)
- Late (>90 days)
What pulmonary findings are common in pts in the early neutropenic phase (0-30 days) s/p bone marrow transplant?
- Pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary hemorrhage
- Drug induced lung injury
- Fungal pneumonia (invasive aspergillosis)
What pulmonary findings are common in pts in the early phase (30-90 days) s/p bone marrow transplant?
- PCP
- CMV
What pulmonary findings are common in pts in the late phase (>90 days) s/p bone marrow transplant?
- Bronchiolitis obliterans
- Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
Bilateral perihilar ground glass opacities in a pt with AIDS…
Think PCP
Note: There may also be cysts.
Most common cause of an airspace opacity in pts with AIDS…
Strep pneumoniae
“flame-shaped” perihilar opacities in a pt with AIDS…
Think Kaposi sarcoma
Persistent pulmonary opacities in a pt with AIDS…
Think lymphoma
Many pulmonary cysts in a pt with AIDS…
Think lipoid pneumonia
Note: PCP can have cysts in 30% of cases.
Lung cysts, ground glass opacities, and pneumothorax in a pt with AIDS…
Think PCP
Hypervascular lymph nodes in a pt with AIDS…
Think Castleman or Kaposi sarcoma
Pulmonary infection in a pt with CD4 > 200
- Bacterial infections
- Tuberculosis
Pulmonary infection in a pt with CD4 < 200
- PCP
- Atypical mycobacteria
Pulmonary infection in a pt with CD4 < 100
- CMV
- Disseminated fungal infection
- Mycobacterial infection
Acute focal airspace opacity in a pt with AIDS…
- Think bacterial infection (most commonly strep pneumonia)
- Think TB (if CD4 is on the lower end)
Chronic focal airspace opacity in a pt with AIDS…
Think lymphoma or Kaposi sarcoma
Ground glass opacities in a pt with AIDS…
Think PCP
Note: If not a choice and CD4 < 100, think CMV.
What are the different phases of pulmonary tuberculosis?
- Primary
- Primary progressive
- Latent
- Post primary (reactivation)
Common sequela of primary pulmonary TB
- Ghon focus (focal calcified granuloma formation)
- Ranke complex (Ghon focus + calcified hilar lymph nodes, more common in kids)
- Lobar atelectasis (if bulky lymphadenopathy cause compression)
Note: Cavitation is not common in primary TB.
What happens if a primary TB granuloma ruptures?
- Endobronchial spread
- Hematogenous spread, which can cause miliary TB if progression/reactivation
Primary progressive pulmonary TB
Local progression of TB infection with the development of cavitation (either at primary site or site of hematogenous spread)
Note: This is uncommon, but may occur in pts with immunosuppression (e.g. HIV).
Risk factors for primary progressive pulmonary TB
Immunosuppression:
- HIV
- Organ transplant
- Steroids
- Jejunoileal bypass
- Subtotal gastrectomy
- Silicosis
Latent pulmonary TB
When you have a positive PPD, but a negative CXR and no symptoms
Pt has a positive PPD with negative CXR in the setting of prior TB vaccination…
The US considers these pts to have latent TB (even though PPD positivity is likely due to vaccination) and pts are treated with 9 months of isoniazid
What percentage of latent TB will reactivate?
Approximately 5%
Where is reactivation TB most likely to occur?
Apical and posterior upper lobe and superior lower lobe
Note: These areas get more oxygen and less lymphatics.
When would you consider a TB pulmonary infection more likely to be latent?
When there is cavitation
Note: Also classic locations in the pulmonary apex/superior lower lobe.
Rasmussen aneurysm
An arterial pseudoaneurysm that develops due to pulmonary cavitation in tuberculosis
Pt with active tuberculosis develops sudden worsening after being started on HAART for HIV…
Immune reconstitution syndrome
Note: Treatment is with steroids.
Is pleural involvement common in TB?
Pleural effusions can occur any time after the primary infection, but is usually seen around 3-6 months after primary TB
Note: This is due to a hypersensitivity reaction (pleural fluid sampling is usually culture negative, you need to actually do a pleural biopsy to make the culture more sensitive).
Why is identifying cavitation important when diagnosing pulmonary TB?
Cavitation is rare in primary TB, so is suggestive of post primary (reactivation) or, less likely, primary progressive TB
When is miliary TB seen?
Hematogenous spread during post primary (reactivation) or primary progressive TB
When can a latent TB infection reactivate in pts with HIV?
Anytime, even if CD4 > 200
Note: Primary progressive TB usually only occurs if CD4 < 200.
What are the two most significant nontuberculous mycobacteria that cause pulmonary infections?
- Mycobacterial avium-intracellulare complex (MAC)
- Mycobacterium Kansasii
Upper lobe cavitary lesion with adjacent nodules suggesting end-bronchial spread in an older male with COPD…
Think nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (e.g. MAC or M. kansasii)
Elderly lady with tree-in-bud opacities and cylindrical bronchiectasis in the right middle lobe and lingula…
Think Lady Windermere syndrome (mycobacterium avium complex infection in the setting of an old lady too polite to cough)
HIV pt (CD4 < 100) with hepatosplenomegaly, MEDIASTINAL LYMPHADENOPTHY, and mixed pulmonary opacities…
Think nontuberculous mycobacterial infection
Note: This is a GI infection with hematogenous spread.
Ill defined ground glass centrilobular nodules in a pt with recent history of hot tub use…
Think nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (hot tub lung)
What are the three categories of pulmonary aspergillus infections?
- Normal immunity (e.g. aspergilloma)
- Immunosupressed (e.g. invasive aspergillosis)
- Hyper-immune (e.g. allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis)
Otherwise healthy pt with a solid mass sitting dependently in a pulmonary bleb or cavity…
Think aspergilloma in a pre-existing cavity
Note: Confirm that the fungus ball moves dependently with different positions.
When should you be concerned about invasive pulmonary aspergillosis?
- Immunocompromised pt (e.g. AIDS, organ transplant)
- Halo sign (consolidate nodule/mass with a ground glass “invasive” halo)
- Air crescent sign (a thin crescent of air within a consolidative mass)
Upper lobe central saccular bronchiectasis with mucoid impaction (finger-in-glove opacities) in a pt with long standing asthma…
ABPA (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis)
Agressive pulmonary infection with invasion of the mediastinum, pleura, and chest wall in a pt with AIDS and uncontrolled diabetes…
Think mucormycosis (aggressive fungal infection in high risk pts)
Multiple groundglass and/or consolidate nodules in a pt who had a bone marrow transplant 45 days prior…
Think cytomegalovirus infection
Note: Classic scenarios for CMV pulmonary infection is reactivation after prolonged immunosuppression (e.g. AIDS, organ transplant) or a bone marrow transplant with CMV positive marrow.
Classic appearance of CMV pulmonary infection?
Multiple groundglass or consolidate nodules in immunocompromised pt
Classic appearance of measles pulmonary infection?
Multifocal ground glass opacities with small nodular opacities
Note: Pneumonia can occur before or after measles skin lesions.
Classic appearance of influenza pulmonary infection?
Coalescent lower lobe opacity
Note: Pleural effusions are rare.