Radiology Terminology and Interpretation

Question 1

Radiolucent

Answer 1

Dark pattern > Normal lungs

Question 2

Radiodense/ opacity
Example

Answer 2

White areas, fluid and solid
Example: pleural effusion

Question 3

Infiltrates
Example:

Answer 3

Scattered patchy white areas
Example: atelectasis

Question 4

Consolidation
Example:

Answer 4

Well-defined solid appearing light (white cotton)
Example: PNA and pleural effusion

Question 5

Hyperlucency
Example:

Answer 5

Dark area caused by presence of air
Example: Emphysema/ Subcutaneous Emphysema, Asthma

Question 6

Vascular Markings
Examples:

Answer 6

Vessels that are less prominent or not visable
Example: Pulmonary Edema, CHF (increased)
Pneumothorax (decreased)

Question 7

Diffusion
Example:

Answer 7

Widely spread or scattered
Example: PNA

Question 8

Opaque
(bone)

Question 9

Bilateral
Example:

Answer 9

on both sides
Example: PNA

Question 10

Unilateral
Example:

Answer 10

affecting one side
Example: PNA, , foreign body obstruction

Question 11

Air bronchogram means mucus plug which =

Answer 11

atelectasis

Question 12

Descriptions of Atelectasis (4)

Answer 12

• plate like infiltrates
• crowding air bronchograms
• patchy infiltrates
• trache shifts towards (right) the affective side (pulls)

Question 13

How do we treat Atlectasis (2)

Answer 13

• I.S
• IPPB

Question 14

Descriptions of ARDS (5)

Answer 14

• reticular granular nodules
• diffuse bilateral radiopaque
• white-out
• ground glass
• honey comb pattern

Question 15

How do we treat ARDS?

Answer 15

• ARDSNET (High PEEP, Low Vt)

Question 16

Descriptions of Pleural Effusion (think of diaphragm)
What X-ray do we use?

Answer 16

Blunted (obliterated) costophernic angles
(laterial decubitus xray)
- Mediastinal shift

Question 17

How do we treat pleural effusion (2)

Answer 17

• Thoracentesis
• Chest tube

Question 18

Descriptions of PNA (3)

Answer 18

• Consolidation
• Air bronchogram
• Increased density

Question 19

How do we treat PNA

Answer 19

• Antibiotics (# 1)
• Supplemental O2

Question 20

Descriptions of Pneumothorax (3)

Answer 20

• Trache Shifting AWAY (left) from the affective side (push)
• No vascular markings
• Hyperlucency

Question 21

How do we treat a Pneumothorax (3)

Answer 21

• Neddle aspiration (Thorencentesis)
• Placement of chest tube
• Supplemental O2

Question 22

Descriptions of Pulmonary Edema (4)

Answer 22

• Fluffy light infiltrates
• Butterfly patterns
• Bat wings
• Kerly B lines

Question 23

How do we treat pulmonary edema

Answer 23

• Diuretics (digoxin)
• O2
• Pressure (NPPV/ CPAP)

Question 24

Descriptions of Pulmonary Embolism (PE) 2

Answer 24

• peripherial widge infiltrates
• Decreased lung volumes

Question 25

How do we treat a PE?

Answer 25

Anticoagulation (Heparin or Warfrain)

Question 26

Descriptions of Tuberculosis (TB)

Answer 26

• Cavity formation
• calcification
• Gohn complex
• fibrosis

Question 27

How do we treat TB?

Answer 27

• Antituberculosis drugs
• Supplemental O2

Question 28

How many ribs are you able to count on a good inspiratory film

Answer 28

9-11 ribs

Question 29

How do we know there is an increase in heart size on a chest x-ray

Answer 29

more than half of the size of the thoraic cavity