Unit 4 Week 15 Flashcards
what are the 6 parts included in the radiographic anatomy of the chest xray?
bony thorax, respiratory organs, the heart, the mediastinum, the hilum, the diaphragm
what is the difference between a radiograph of the thoracic spine and a chest x-ray?
thoracic spine = high contrast
chest x-ray = low contrast
when might a AP position be used for a chest x-ray?
PA is standard
AP used for patients who are too ill to stand
what respiratory organs are seen on a chest x-ray?
larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs
what is the cardiothoracic ratio?
radiographic estimate of heart size
- the widest width of the heart should be less than half the width of the chest at the level of the diaphragm
what is the mediastinum?
the space between the lungs, bounded anteriorly by the sternum, posteriorly by the spine
- contains the bundle of soft tissues of the heart, the great vessels, the trachea, and the esophagus
what are the 4 main bumps found in the mediastinum on a chest x-ray?
on the right: ascending aorta, right atrium
on the left: aortic arch, pulmonary artery, left ventricle
how does the diaphragm look in a radiograph of a patient with emphysema?
diaphragm low and flat
what does free air outside of the bowel and in the peritoneal cavity signify?
the bowel has been perforated either from cancer, diverticulitis, peptic ulcer disease, or trauma
what is the goal of the chest radiographic exam?
the help establish the presence, absence or etiology of disease processes that involve the thorax and to follow their course
what are the 5 indications for chest radiography as per ACR?
- evaluate the s/s potentially related to the respiratory, cardiovascular and upper GI systems
- evaluation of extrathoracic disease that secondarily involves the chest
- follow-up of known thoracic disease processes
- monitoring patients with life-support devices
- surveillance studies as required by public law (TB or occupational lung exposures)
what are the 2 routine chest exam projections?
- erect PA
- erect left lateral
what are the steps for assessing for rotation in a radiograph?
- compare sternoclavicular joints to midline distance
- compare rib cage margin to midline distance
- sternum should be midline, superimposed over thoracic spine
- kyphosis or scoliosis may cause assymmetry
what boney observations should be looked for in a chest x-ray?
bilateral symmetry of scapula, clavicles, and ribs
bone density: fractures or erosions, calcifications, osteoporotic or osteoblastic lesion
vertebral body height and disk space
what soft tissue observations should be looked for in a chest x-ray?
overall amount of fat and muscle in the supraclavicular region, axilla, along the lateral chest walls, and the breast tissue
what observations should be looked for in a chest x-ray regarding the mediastinum?
overall size, shape, and position
what is a mediastinal shift?
the mediastinum is displaced to one side or the other, as a result of any condition that changes volume in one hemithorax, such as pleural effusion, a pneumothorax, or atelectasis
what lung observations should be looked for in a chest x-ray?
compare overall size of each lung field
equally radiolucent
any abnormal radiolucent or radiodense areas? any air brochograms?
compare R and L hila, normal caliber or enlarged?
are the lung/heart and lung/diaphragm borders clear, or does a silhouette sign exist?
follow the pleural space around the lung periphery. any calcifications, air, or fluid present?
what is a silhouette sign?
the loss of the normal radiographic order between air in the lungs and the soft tissue of either the heart or the diaphragm; localizes a lesion to a specific lobe
when are airway vessels visible on a radiograph?
if the alveoli around them fill up with fluid. the fluid then outlines the vessels and provides contrast
what causes an air bronchogram sign?
due to the air within bronchi surrounded by consolidated lung
infection (pneumonia)
blood (hemorrhage)
serous fluid (pulmonary edema)
if there is a loss of border of the superior mediastinum where is the lesion?
upper lobes
if there is a loss of border of the right heart where is the lesion?
right middle lobe
if there is a loss of border of the left heart where is the lesion?
left upper lobe or lingula
if there is a loss of border of the right hemidiaphragm where is the lesion?
right lower lobe