thorax

Question 1

Kilovoltage peak (kVp)

Answer 1

-voltage difference from filament to anode
* Penetration power or strength of the X-ray beam (quality of the beam)
* for larger areas and body parts such as thorax

Question 2

Milliamperage (mA)

Answer 2

-electric current through the filament
* Number of X-rays being produced (quantity of the beam)
* High kVp (80-120 kVp) and low mAs (1-5 mAs) are used for thoracic radiographs

Question 3

Exposure time (s)

Answer 3

-how long X-rays are produced for
*decrease in (s) to reduce motion blur (respiration)

Question 4

standard thoracic rad views

Answer 4

Question 5

Radiographic positioning for thorax RL or LL views

Answer 5

• Right lateral view (R)
• Right lateral recumbency
• Thoracic limbs pulled cranially
• Field of view (FOV)
• Just cranial to the thoracic inlet
• Few centimeters caudal to the
  last rib

Question 6

what radiographic markers to place in RL or LL

Answer 6

Question 7

How to distinguish R from L lateral view?

Answer 7

Question 8

radiographic positioning for thorax VD view

Answer 8

Question 9

rad positioning for thorax DV view

Answer 9

Question 10

where to place rad markers in VD or DV

Answer 10

Question 11

How to distinguish VD from DV?

Answer 11

Question 12

when to take thorax rads expiration or inspiration?

Answer 12

-Standard radiographs should be taken at the end/peak of inspiration

Question 13

heart and sizes on thoracic rads

Answer 13

DOGS
* < 2.5-3.5 intercostal spaces (ICSs)

CATS
* < 2-2.5 ICSs

Question 14

vertebral heart score on thoracic rads

Answer 14

Question 15

cardiac width on rads normal size

Answer 15

DOGS AND CATS
* CARDIAC WIDTH < 2/3 of the chest wall

Question 16

locations of the cardiac chambers

Answer 16

Question 17

caudal vena cava normal diameter

Answer 17

Question 18

how to view the pulmonary vessels on rads

Answer 18

for diameter: DV is better than VD.
* ARTERIES SHOULD BE
APPROXIMATELY THE SAME
DIAMETER AS VEINS
* BOTH = DIAMETER OF THE 9TH RIB

Question 19

mediastinum

Answer 19

-divided into:
cranial (cranial vena cava)
middle: (caudal thoracic trachea, cardiac silloquette)
caudal: (caudal vena cava, aorta)

-how much mediastinum you see depends on fat of the animal

Question 20

trachea

Answer 20

Question 21

trachea normal variations

Answer 21

flattened trachea due to redundant membrane, normal

Question 22

trachea rads if you see the right and left main bronchus splitting further apart Y

Answer 22

Inbetween bronci is the L atrium in VD or DV view so if you see left atrium enlargement you will see splitting of the bronchi

Cowboy legs, if L atrium or tracheal bronchial Lymph node enlargement you will see bronchi splitting

Question 23

collapsing trachea vs redundant dorsal tracheal membrane

Answer 23

the lumen is being narrowed not just the dorsal membrane

Question 24

esophagus on rads

Answer 24

-normally NOT VISABLE

esophageal dilation causes:
-may occur due to sedation/ GA
-hypothyroidism
-myasthenia gravis

Question 25

lymph nodes in thoracic rads locations

Answer 25

-in normal thorax only STERNAL LYMPH NODES may be visualized

Question 26

generalized mediastinal lymphadenopathy

Answer 26

-cranial mediastrinum is widened -trachealbronchial causes bronchi splitting

Question 27

diaphragm on rads

Answer 27

-in LL more Y shape, L cruz is more cranial -in RL more parellel and R is more cranial

Question 28

pleural space on rads

Answer 28

In normal conditions: * Not visualized * Occasionally, solitary interpleural fissure identified between lung lobes Abnormal conditions: * Multiple and easily identifiable interpleural fissures, fluid or air filling the pleural space: plural effusion or pneumothorax

Question 29

thoracic walls on rads in older dogs and cats

Answer 29

Question 30

thymus on rads

Answer 30

Question 31

non standard rads views for thorax indications

Answer 31

-Aid in the diagnosis of small volume of pleural effusion, pneumothorax: will see fluid line with pleural effusion * Reduce effacement of a thoracic mass by pleural effusion * Complex diaphragmatic hernias * Unstable patients (eg. respiratory distress) – standing patient (below)

Question 32

rads of horses views

Answer 32

4 quadrants: only take LL or RL not both sides unless need to. -craniodoral: heart, bronchi, aorta -caudodorsal: -caudoventral: trachea, aorta, heart, diaphragm -cranioventral: trachea, lungs, heart

Question 33

thoracic ultrasound

Answer 33

-used in emergency and resp distress when you cant get a xray -place probe between intercostal spaces on both sides of thorax -should see ribs, and A lines in normal conditions -will see increased intensity with fluid in lungs B lines presenting pulmonary edema or pneumonia -as disease progresses will have shred signs -can also see lung nodules or intra-thoracic mass