Inflammation - Clinical Diagnosis - X-Rays; Skin; Rheumatology; Musculoskeletal Flashcards
(112 cards)
What bony structures are usually prominent in AP CXRs but not PA CXRs?
Scapulae

What are the disadvantages of an AP CXR?
False cardiomegaly
(false magnification of the heart on imaging);
decreased inspiratory effort
(likely);
scapulae in image

What marker on a CXR allows you to identify the left and right sides of the patient along with whether the patient was upright or not?
The marker in the upper corner
(letter indicates which side;
the BBs indicate the effects of gravity on the patient; i.e., upright or laying down)

How do you know if the patient is rotated in their CXR?
The tracheal column and vertebral spinous processes should be straight and aligned; the clavicles should be symmetrical

An adequate inspiratory effort will reveal how many ribs in a CXR?
9

If inspiratory effort is poor, then the lung fields in a CXR will be ________ (more/less) opaque.
If inspiratory effort is poor, then the lung fields in a CXR will be more opaque.
True/False.
In obtaining an X-ray, adjustments must be made for body habitus; e.g., the technique may be different for an obese individual as compared to a thin individual.
True.
Describe the effects of over- or under-penetration on X-ray quality.

How should the spine appear in a CXR with proper penetration?
As individual vertebral bodies
(until you reach the diaphragm/abdomen)
Is this CXR over- or under-penetrated?
What does this mean?

Slightly over-penetrated;
it is blacker than actually expected
Is this CXR over- or under-penetrated?

Neither
(individual vertebral bodies and pulmonary vasculature clear)
When evaluating a CXR, you should move from the ________ to the ________.
(Inside/Outside)
When evaluating a CXR, you should move from the outside to the inside.
What is the order in which a CXR should be read?
Skin / soft tissue: _________
Spine / ribs: _________
Heart / great vessels: < ______ of thoracic diameter
_________ / _________ angles

Skin / soft tissue: symmetry
Spine / ribs: symmetry, fractures, density
Heart / great vessels: < 1/2 of thoracic diameter
Costophrenic / costovertebral angles
Is this CXR PA or AP?
Is the inspiratory effort sufficient?
Is it rotated?
Does it have the right degree of penetration?

PA;
yes;
no;
yes
What do you notice about this CXR?

The patient has had a left-sided mastectomy
What do you notice in this CXR?

Fractured posterior portion of ribs 9 and 10

Name some of the anatomical structures visible in a CXR.


On a lateral CXR, the space visible anterior to the heart is called the ________________ space and the space visible posterior to the heart is called the ________________ space.

On a lateral CXR, the space visible anterior to the heart is called the retosternal space and the space visible posterior to the heart is called the retrocardiac space.

What is the primary thing you notice in this CXR?

Cardiomegaly
(>50% of thoracic diameter)
Is this patient most likely to be <18, 18 - 65, or > 65 years of age?
How do you know?

> 60 years of age;
osteopenia, prominent aortic knob, kyphosis / degenerative changes
This patient is a long-time smoker.
What is your diagnosis?

Emphysema
(barrel-chest / increased AP diameter; flattened diaphragm; huge inspiratory effort)
What do you notice in this CXR?
Is the film over- or under-penetrated?

Right-sided pneumothorax;
under
What position is a patient in if you have them lie on their side for an X-ray?

Lateral decubitus
What is your diagnosis?

Pleural effusion





























































