Ultrasound imaging of the thorax Flashcards
What may pleural thickening suggest?
pleuritis, neoplastic pleural disease, or chronic effusions
What are the main neoplasias of the mediastinum?
lymphosarcoma, thymoma, neuroendocrine tumors, lymphomatoid granulomatosis, mast cell tumor, melanoma, and thyroid carcinoma
What do comet tails/ ring down artifact suggest?
Mild to moderate infiltrative lung disease
can be seen with pulmonary oedema, pleuritis, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia, and pulmonary contusion, diseases characterized by a thickening of either the pleura or the interlobular septa
What is hepatisation?
When severe lung consolidation is present, the echogenicity and texture are similar to that of the liver, and this condition is termed hepatization
What can cause lung consolidation?
pneumonia, oedema, lung lobe torsion, contusions, and some lobar neoplasias.
Compare consolidation and atelectasis
With consolidation, the lung retains its normal volume, unlike atelectasis, which appears similar in echogenicity and texture but is decreased in volume.
How would a lung lobe torsion appear on US?
a consolidated lobe on thoracic ultrasound, usually surrounded by pleural effusion
What can help to rule out a diaphragmatic hernia?
Frequently, a mirror image artifact is present in normal dogs, giving the impression of liver on both sides of the diaphragm. The diaphragm must be intact for this artifact to occur, so recognition of this phenomenon should help to rule out a true diaphragmatic hernia in that area.
What can suggest a diaphragmatic hernia?
Discontinuity of the diaphragm or an irregular or asymmetric cranial hepatic margin is a common finding with a diaphragmatic hernia. Cranial displacement of abdominal viscera confirms the diagnosis
What is metabolic acidosis?
a reduction in blood pH and a reduction in bicarbonate. It can be divided into hyperchloraemic (normal anion gap) and nor-mochloraemic (high anion gap) metabolic acidoses
What is respiratory acidosis?
Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an increased PaCO2 and a reduction in pH. This usually reflects hypoventilation and reduced alveolar gas exchange. Possible causes include pulmonary and airway dis-ease, restrictive extrapulmonary disorders (eg, pleural effusion, flail chest, pneumothorax) and respiratory centre depression (intracranial disease or anaesthesia). Respiratory acidosis also occurs as a compensatory mechanism for metabolic alkalosis.
