7. Clinical Imaging Flashcards
Order of density (highest to lowest):
Metal, Bone, Fluid, Soft tissue, Air
all CXR’s should be PA views but there are situations when AP have to be carried out:
Trauma
Intensive Care
Acutely unwell
Unable to get in correct position for PA
- Liver
- Right costophrenic angle
- Rt Hemidiaphragm
- Right Posterior Rib
- Right Atrium
- Right Hilum
- Right first rib
- Right clavicle
- Right humerous
- Left Scapula
- Cervical Vertebrae
- Trachea
- Fat tissue
- Aortic arch/Knuckle
- Left pulmonary artery/hilum
- Left anterior rib
- Left ventricle
- Apex
- Left cardiophrenic angle
- Air in stomach
- Diaphragm
- Right ventricle
- Sternum
- Ascending aorta
- Trachea
- Aortic arch
- Throacic vertebrae
- Descending aorta
- Left main bronchus
- Left ventricle
Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space
Pneumonia
Infection of the lung parenchyma
Pleural effusion
Fluid in the pleural space
Pros of CT scans
Quick
Easy to access
Good for most organ systems
Cons of CT scans
Radiation exposure
Not good for soft tissues & very bony regions
Pros of MRI scans
Excellent images, esp. soft tissue and bony regions
No radiation
Cons of MRI scans
Slow
Noisy & claustrophobic
Difficult to obtain
Contraindications
Tension pneumothorax
medical emergency
compresses mediastium
reduces cardiac output
Clinical features: Pleuretic chest pain, breathlessness
Where is the needle inserted to release tensions in pneumothorax?
2nd ICS
MCL
Where are chest drains inserted?
4th-5th Intercostal Space
slightly anterior to MAL
Pneumothorax
Pneumonia
Clinical features: Temperature, cough, pleuretic chest pain, breathlessness, green-brown sputum
Pleural Effusion
