Thorax Part 1 Flashcards
what is the silhouette sign?
two structures of the same radiographic opacity that are in direct contact with each other lose their margins and cannot be seen as separate entities
whenever you see fluid where there should not be any, it’s probably going to be: ___________________________
blood
pus
water
where does gas where it should not be come from?
communication with outside world
communication with a structure that normally has gas in it
gas forming organisms
why do we take thoracic radiographs?
rule in/out causes of respiratory signs
investigate suspected cardiac disease
screen for metastatic disease
screen patients prior to anesthesia
evaluate patients who have undergone trauma
what technique do we use for thoracic radiographs?
high kVp technique
minimize exposure time
take radiographs at peak inspiration
use a grid if patient is thicker than 10cm
is right lateral better for assessing changes in the left or right lung lobes?
left lung lobes
how can you tell a lateral thoracic view is right lateral?
heart is “egg shaped”
diaphragmatic crura parallel to each other
right crus more cranial
better for assessing left lung lobes
how can you tell a lateral thoracic view is left lateral?
heart rounded
diaphragmatic crura diverge
left crus more cranial
better for assessing changes in right lung lobes
what differentiates a dorsoventral view from a ventrodorsal view?
heart position more consistent
diaphragm has one dome (cupula)
what differentiates a ventrodorsal view from a dorsoventral view?
heart “flops” and may look elongated
diaphragm has three domes (cupula and two crura)
why do we take both lateral views with a thoracic study?
dependent lung collapses
collapsed lung hides soft tissue opacity nodules
opposite lateral: aerated lung, provides contrast
what are some special views with thoracic radiographs?
oblique views
horizontal beam views
why would we take oblique views?
highlight thoracic wall masses
why would we perform horizontal beam views of the thorax?
diaphragmatic hernia
small volumes of pneumothorax
do we take VD or DV views of large animals?
no, only lateral views taken
not even young foals
where do you put the lung of interest when taking radiographs of a large animal?
close to the plate
what happens with pleural effusion and a pneumothorax in large animals on radiographs?
pleural effusion will fall
pneumothorax will rise
what are some thoracic contrast procedures?
esophagography
angiography
celiography
what should you evaluate when evaluating the thorax?
extrathoracic structures
diaphragm
mediastinum
pleural space
lungs, including pulmonary vasculature
cardiac silhouette
what extrathoracic structures should you check on a set of thoracic radiographs?
caudal neck
thoracic limbs
cranial abdomen
thoracic wall
what are some thoracic wall abnormalities?
congenital abnormalities
trauma
masses
why is a flail chest a problem?
can cause trauma to the lungs
what are thoracic wall masses recognized by?
extrapleural sign: intact parietal pleeura contains the mass, mass will indent the lung
what causes a flail chest?
segmental fractures of adjacent ribs