Radiology Flashcards
(33 cards)
Different X-ray densities (5)
Air - Black Fat - Grey Soft tissue/Muscle - Grey/white Bone - White Metal - Bright white
Relative CT densities (8)
Air -1000 Lungs - 500 Fat - 100 Water 0 Muscle + 50 Bone + 200 Contrast + 500 Metal + 1000
CXR ‘Posterior to Anterior’ view (3)
Patient stands 2m from the x-ray apparatus facing the digital cassette
The shoulders are braced forward so that the scapulae do not obscure the lungs
Note that as the heart lies anteriorly within the thorax, PA views minimise cardiac shadow magnification
CXR ‘Anterior to Posterior’ view (2)
For patients lying down where cassette is placed behind the patient
Inferior to PA views due to magnified heart shadow, overlying scapula and difficulty in patient to take proper inspiration
CXR Lateral view
Portrays 3D structure of thorax where anatomy and pathology is more appreciated
Requirements of taking a CXR (3)
Check patients name and ID
Side marker
Adequate technique - Inspiration, rotation, penetration
If a CXR is adequately inspired
6 ribs must be visible from anterior end
If a CXR is centered
Medial ends of the clavicles should be equidistant from the spinous processes of the upper thoracic vertebrae
Cardiomediastinal contours
(9)
Aorta Pulmonary artery Left auricle Left ventricle Right Atrium Trachea Hemidiaphargm (right) Stomach bubble Horizontal fissure
Visible lobes on anterior view (4)
Right upper
Right middle
Left upper
Lingula
Visible lobes on posterior view (2)
Right Lower
Left Lower
Lateral radiograph features (4)
Oblique fissure
Horizontal fissure
Posterior costropherenic recess
Retrosternal space
Lobar collapse/consolidation features (3)
Displacement of fissure towards collapsing lobe
Volume loss causing air space opacification
Collapsed lobe has triangular/ pyramidal shape
Ultrasound features (3)
Fluid - Black
Soft tissue - Bright
Air and Bone - Shadow
TB in CXR leaves
Cavities in the upper lobes
Acute TB phase
Opacification of tiny nodules in lungs
Pulmonary Hila (3)
Junctions between heart and lungs where pulmonary arteries and bronchi enter and pulmonary veins exit the lungs
Left hilum lies superiorly to the right hilum
Common place for bronchial carcinoma as lymph nodes enlarge and become visible
Trachea and Bronchi
Normally visible but major and minor bronchi are poorly shown unless calcified in older people
Diaphragm (3)
Right diaphragm lies 1.5 cm above left diaphragm due to liver
Deviations indicate disease
Pneumothorax, lung collapse, emphysema causes diaphragmatic elevation/depression
Retrosternal and retrocardiac space (2)
Should be dark on lateral CXR
If they are not disease is present
Silhouette Sign (2)
Based on different radiograph densities when compared to its neighbour
Diseases causes an increase in lung density or a lost of silhouette
Tension pneumothorax
Accumulates large amounts of air it will squash the lungs so the patient cannot ventilate them
Lines and tubes (2)
Examples are endotracheal tubes, nasogastric tubes, central venous lines
CXR confirms correct placement
Iatrogenic pneumothorax (2)
Caused by medical procedure complication
Example like cardiac pacemaker insertion
