Thorax Part 2 Flashcards
what is the trachea?
a semi-rigid tube running from the larynx to the carina
how does the size of the trachea compare to the height of the larynx?
normally just smaller than the height of the larynx
what are some tracheal abnormalities?
collapsing trachea
hypoplastic trachea
other causes of tracheal narrowing: sub/mucosal edema or hemorrhage
tracheal foreign body
tracheal mass
what is the pleural space?
a potential space between the visceral and parietal pleura
are the pleura and pleural space usually visible on radiographs?
no
what are some pleural space abnormalities?
pneumothorax
pleural effusion
what is a pneumothorax?
gas in the pleural space
what does a pneumothorax look like?
lungs retracted from thoracic wall
increased lucency of pleural sspace
increased opacity of collapse lung
heart separated from sternum
why is there an increased lucency of the pleural space with a pneumothorax?
there is a lack of vessels extending to the periphery
how can you differentiate a deep-chested dog from a pneumothorax?
heart may be separated from sternum
pulmonary vessels will be seen ventral to the heart
how can you differentiate skin folds from a pneumothorax?
can be followed outside of the thoracic cavity
what is a tension pneumothorax?
one-way valve causes pleural space pressure to rise above atmospheric pressure
what does the diaphragm do in a tension pneumothorax?
caudally displaced and may be tented at the costal attachments
what is pleural effusion?
fluid in the pleural space
where will the fluid in pleural effusion collect in a DV view?
along midline: silhouettes with heart
where will the fluid in pleural effusion collect on a VD view?
gutters: heart sticks out of effusion and is more visible
what are some differentials that look like pleural effusion?
pleural thickening
fat: heart margin still visible
chondrodystrophic dog: looks like effusion on DV/VD view only
how many lung lobes do canine and feline patients have?
6 lung lobes
what lung lobes do feline and canine patients have?
right cranial, middle, caudal, accessory
left cranial and caudal
what lung lobe do equine patients not have when compared to canine/feline patients?
right middle lung lobe
what are the four lung patterns?
vascular
bronchial
interstitial
alveolar
what happens in a vascular pattern?
too many vessels visible
vessels are too large (veins and/or arteries)
on the DV/VD view, the caudal vessels should be equal in diameter to the ____________ as they cross it
9th rib
on the lateral view, the cranial pulmonary ____________ are dorsal to the bronchus and the ____________ are ventral
arteries
veins
on the DV/VD view, the caudal pulmonary arteries are ____________ to the bronchus and the veins are ____________
lateral
medial
what can cause big veins (and normal arteries) on radiographs?
left sided congestive heart failure
what can cause big arteries (and normal veins) on radiographs?
heartworm disease
pulmonary hypertension
pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE)
what can cause big arteries and veins on radiographs?
patent ductus arteriosus
fluid overload
hyperthyroidism
left sided congestive heartfailure with heartworm, PTE, or pulmonary hypertension (most common of these three)
what happens in a bronchial pattern?
bronchi are more visible than normal
how does a bronchial pattern manifest?
train tracks or donuts depending on whether the bronchi are seen in profile or end-on
what does a bronchial pattern indicate?
airway disease of allergic, infectious, or parasitic origin
what is the most common cause of a feline bronchial pattern?
feline asthma
does not always show up on radiographs
what is an interstitial pattern recognized by?
increased lung opacity
decreased clarity of the pulmonary vascular margins
what is an interstitial pattern due to?
something in interstitial space: fluid, cells, fibrous tissue
what can cause a nodular interstitial pattern?
metastases
when you see something that looks like nodules on a radiograph, what are some other differentials?
skin nodules
end-on vessels
pulmonary osseous metaplasia/pneumoliths
where are end-on vessels mostly seen on a radiograph?
perihilar region
overly vessels of equal or greater diameter
in order to catch our eye, solitary spherical soft tissue nodules must be __________
> 5mm
how large are end-on vessels and pneumoliths in diameter?
2mm
still stand out: mineralized, more than 5mm “deep”
