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Flashcards in this deck (123)
  • CZ is a 67-year-old male presenting with acute symptoms of fever and cough.

    case patient symptoms cbi3b_week7
  • You order a CXR to rule out pneumonia; the results are negative.

    diagnosis cxr cbi3b_week7
  • CZ points to a bright white square object on the right side of the film and asks, 'What is that thing?' You reply, 'That’s your pacemaker.'

    cxr pacemaker cbi3b_week7
  • The chest x-ray is essential in most pulmonary diagnoses as well as in cardiac and other conditions.

    diagnosis cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The chest x-ray employs radiology, a common diagnostic imaging technique that uses radiation to visualize internal body structures.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The radiograph is an image obtained when x-rays are absorbed by the body’s tissues.

    radiograph cxr cbi3b_week7
  • In pulmonary medicine, radiographic imaging modalities range from conventional chest x-rays (CXR) to CT scan and PET/CT scan.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The latter two imaging modalities are less common than basic CXRs and are usually ordered to evaluate specific pulmonary conditions.

    ct_scan cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Learning objectives include describing chest radiography and what it is used for.

    learning cxr cbi3b_week7
  • You will also learn how to obtain a posteroanterior (PA), anteroposterior (AP), and lateral chest x-ray.

    imaging cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The quality of a chest x-ray can be assessed using the ABCDEF approach.

    quality cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The normal anatomy seen on a chest x-ray includes the Airway, Bones, Cardiac, and Diaphragm.

    anatomy cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Different tissues and parts of the body are visualized in a radiograph because they have different densities.

    density cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Structures that absorb radiation are referred to as radiopaque and show up as white on radiographic images.

    radiopaque cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Structures or openings that x-rays pass through are called radiolucent and appear black.

    radiolucent cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The five x-ray densities are named in order of increasing radiopacity: air, fat, water, calcium, and metal.

    x-ray densities cbi3b_week7
  • Air density: the lung parenchyma is full of air, so it is radiolucent and appears black on the CXR.

    air density cbi3b_week7
  • Fat density: fatty tissue absorbs more radiation than air, so it is mostly radiolucent but not totally black.

    fat density cbi3b_week7
  • Water density: solid organs like the heart and soft tissue absorb radiation, appearing on a spectrum of gray.

    water density cbi3b_week7
  • Calcium density absorbs x-rays well, making it very radio-opaque (white).

    radiology x-rays cbi3b_week7
  • Metal (e.g., wires, catheters) totally absorbs radiation, appearing as entirely radiopaque (white) on the radiograph.

    radiology x-rays cbi3b_week7
  • A calcified lung nodule will appear white, while water density may suggest abnormal fluid presence (e.g., pleural effusion).

    pathology radiology cbi3b_week7
  • A Chest X-Ray (CXR) is an x-ray of the lung and thorax, including portions of the neck and upper abdomen.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Specific uses of a CXR include evaluating diseases of the lower respiratory system, and assessing pathology of the heart and great vessels.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The CXR is often ordered early when a condition related to the lungs or heart is suspected.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Most CXRs are taken during deep inspiration, which expands the lungs and increases detail seen.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Expiratory films are used for special purposes, like suspicion of small pneumothorax or gas trapping in COPD.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The most commonly ordered projections are erect PA, AP, and lateral projections.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • In a posteroanterior (PA) projection, the central ray passes from posterior to anterior.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • In an anteroposterior (AP) projection, the patient either sits upright or lies face up, but is less preferred than the PA projection.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The upright PA radiograph yields the best detail because the patient can take a larger inspiration.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Compared to the PA projection, the AP projection can magnify anterior structures and pulmonary vasculature.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Fluid in the lung has water density, making it more radiolucent than a calcified pulmonary nodule.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The anterior structures and pulmonary vasculature are magnified in the AP projection, making it seem like there is pulmonary edema when none is actually present.

    radiology chest_xray projection cbi3b_week7
  • In the lateral projection, the patient stands with both arms raised and the left side of the chest pressed against a flat surface.

    radiology chest_xray projection cbi3b_week7
  • The lateral projection combined with the PA view offers a three-dimensional representation of the structures of the chest.

    radiology chest_xray projection cbi3b_week7
  • The decubitus view is used to detect pathologic fluid in the lung and pleural space, such as pleural effusions.

    radiology chest_xray projection cbi3b_week7
  • In the oblique projection, the patient is either erect or supine with their right or left posterior side closest to the image receptor.

    radiology chest_xray projection cbi3b_week7
  • To ensure the quality of a chest x-ray, you need to check the patient identity, display x-rays correctly, and assess radiograph quality.

    radiology quality_control cbi3b_week7
  • The anteroposterior (AP) projection is less preferred than the posteroanterior (PA) projection because it shows less detail and overmagnifies pulmonary vasculature.

    radiology chest_xray projection cbi3b_week7
  • When displaying x-rays, current PA films are shown to the left of the current lateral films.

    radiology chest_xray display cbi3b_week7
  • It's critical to distinguish left from right on a CXR; the heart and aorta normally lie on the left.

    radiology chest_xray orientation cbi3b_week7
  • The technologist marks the radiograph with the letter L for the left side or R for the right side.

    radiology chest_xray marking cbi3b_week7
  • Looking at old films can help determine if an abnormal finding is acute or chronic.

    radiology clinical_practice cbi3b_week7
  • In the decubitus view, the x-ray is obtained while the patient is lying down on their side.

    radiology chest_xray decubitus cbi3b_week7
  • The oblique projection is used when close visualization of the ribs and sternum is needed.

    radiology chest_xray oblique cbi3b_week7
  • The air-fluid interface will shift when comparing the PA and decubitus films.

    radiology chest_xray fluid_detection cbi3b_week7
  • To double-check L-R orientation, you should always use your anatomic knowledge. Normally, the heart and the aorta lie on the left.

    anatomy orientation cbi3b_week7
  • The right hemidiaphragm is usually superior to the left; under the left hemidiaphragm, we see a round radiolucent area, which is the gastric bubble.

    anatomy diaphragm cbi3b_week7
  • Assessing radiograph quality includes checking that all required anatomic structures are contained in the film, that the patient was positioned correctly, and that there are no obstructing items.

    radiology quality cbi3b_week7
  • You should see the entire ribcage, both costophrenic angles, both clavicles, and the gastric bubble below the diaphragm.

    radiology structures cbi3b_week7
  • If the patient is mistakenly rotated, look for the left-right symmetry of the ribs and scapulae. The trachea should appear midline over the sternum.

    radiology positioning cbi3b_week7
  • None of the patient's clothes or metal accessories should be visible on the x-ray, as they can affect the quality of the radiograph.

    radiology accessories cbi3b_week7
  • Penetrance is the degree to which the x-rays have passed through the body, affecting how white or black things appear.

    radiology penetrance cbi3b_week7
  • To check for overpenetration in PA and AP images, ensure that the vertebrae are visible behind the heart. If not, the film may be underpenetrated.

    radiology penetration cbi3b_week7
  • An underpenetrated film can appear as white, radio-opaque lungs that can mislead you into thinking there is a pathologic infiltration.

    radiology diagnosis cbi3b_week7
  • Conversely, an over-penetrated film can hide an infiltrate and cause you to miss a diagnosis.

    radiology diagnosis cbi3b_week7
  • The normal anatomy seen on a chest x-ray includes the right and left lung, which are radiolucent, and the heart and aorta, which lie mostly on the left.

    anatomy cxr cbi3b_week7
  • On a chest x-ray, the diaphragm is radiopaque and the right hemidiaphragm is usually slightly superior to the left.

    anatomy diaphragm cbi3b_week7
  • The gastric air bubble is seen under the left hemidiaphragm, and visualized bones include the clavicle, humeral head, scapula, and ribs.

    anatomy cxr cbi3b_week7
  • A systematic approach to reading the chest x-ray is the ABCDEF approach.

    radiology systematic cbi3b_week7
  • An underpenetrated film is a problem in x-ray diagnosis because it appears too white and can suggest the presence of infiltrates or fluid when none is actually present.

    radiology diagnosis cbi3b_week7
  • Check the trachea in the upper mediastinum. Because it is air-filled, its center will appear dark and should be midline.

    anatomy trachea cbi3b_week7
  • The spinous processes of the upper thoracic spine should be visible through the tracheal air. There may be slight rightward deviation.

    anatomy trachea cbi3b_week7
  • The trachea may show slight rightward deviation as it crosses the aortic arch, but a significant shift indicates abnormal pressure in the thoracic cavity, such as in a pneumothorax.

    anatomy thoracic cbi3b_week7
  • The presence of breast shadows and scapulae can be confused with pulmonary infiltrates in regions where they overlap the lung fields. In females, ensure that both breast shadows are present.

    anatomy radiology cbi3b_week7
  • Approximately two-thirds of the heart's transverse diameter is positioned on the left of the mediastinum and one-third on the right.

    cardiology anatomy cbi3b_week7
  • The cardiothoracic ratio is the ratio of the maximal horizontal cardiac diameter to maximal horizontal thoracic diameter, with a normal range of 0.42 to 0.5.

    cardiology measurements cbi3b_week7
  • A larger cardiothoracic ratio suggests an enlarged heart or the presence of pericardial fluid that enlarges the cardiac silhouette.

    cardiology diagnosis cbi3b_week7
  • The cardiothoracic ratio only applies to PA views, not AP, due to magnification of the heart on AP views.

    radiology cbi3b_week7
  • An obscured heart border can indicate the presence of a pleural effusion or pulmonary consolidations (silhouette sign).

    diagnosis radiology cbi3b_week7
  • Examine the position and shape of the diaphragm. The right hemidiaphragm is usually slightly superior to the left.

    anatomy radiology cbi3b_week7
  • The costophrenic angles should be sharp and not blunted; blunting may indicate the presence of pleural fluid (effusion).

    anatomy diagnosis cbi3b_week7
  • Abnormally deep costophrenic angles may indicate air trapped in the pleural cavity surrounding the lung parenchyma, such as in a pneumothorax.

    anatomy diagnosis cbi3b_week7
  • Under the left diaphragm, you will observe the normal gastric bubble. Extraluminal air beneath the diaphragms may indicate pneumoperitoneum.

    anatomy diagnosis cbi3b_week7
  • Check for pacemakers, defibrillators, or catheters as they will be the most radio-opaque.

    equipment radiology cbi3b_week7
  • When evaluating the lungs, compare both lungs in all fields: upper, middle, and lower zones. It is essential to do A-E first to stay systematic.

    anatomy radiology cbi3b_week7
  • In a lateral view, anatomical features like the thoracic vertebra, inferior vena cava, and posterior costophrenic sulci are visible, which are not seen on a PA view.

    anatomy radiology cbi3b_week7
  • You can better evaluate the cardiac size in its anterior-posterior axis and assess the posterior contour of the left atrium in a lateral view.

    anatomy cardiology cbi3b_week7
  • The normal range of the cardiothoracic ratio is 0.42 to 0.5. A larger number indicates potential heart enlargement or pericardial fluid.

    cardiology measurements cbi3b_week7
  • The cardiothoracic ratio is the ratio of the maximal horizontal cardiac diameter to the maximal horizontal thoracic diameter, and its normal range is approximately 0.42 to 0.5 on a posteroanterior view.

    cardiology radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • An anatomic approach to evaluating a chest x-ray is ABCDEF, which stands for: - Airway - Bones and breast shadows - Cardiac and mediastinum - Diaphragm and upper abdomen - Equipment - Fields of the lungs.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The PA film is the best diagnostic view in most circumstances for chest radiography.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Improper patient rotation or penetration of the film can cause artifacts that confuse diagnosis.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • From less to more radio-opaque, the five x-ray densities seen on a radiograph are: - air - fat - water - calcium - metal.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Visualization of different anatomical features can be done because of differences in their radiopacity.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The metal object in the patient’s left upper chest wall is his pacemaker, which appears bright on the CXR because it is made of metal and the x-rays don’t pass through it.

    radiology cxr shipley_note cbi3b_week7
  • The appearance of the normal heart on the CXR is characterized by the posterior margin of the left atrium being best seen on the PA projection.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Chest radiography (CXR) is a visualization of the inside of the thorax, most often used to evaluate suspected disease in the lungs and heart.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Which of the following best characterizes the radio-opacity/radiolucency of a pleural effusion if seen on a chest x-ray? - More radiolucent than normal lung parenchyma - More radiolucent than the diaphragm - More radiopaque than the vertebrae - Similarly radiopaque as the heart - Similarly radiolucent as the normal lung parenchyma.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Which of the following projection(s) would be best to characterize the position of a suspected cancer metastasis to the lung? - Combination of PA and decubitus projections - Combination of PA and lateral projections - Decubitus projection - Lateral projection - PA projection.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Ensure that patient placement and L-R orientation is correct before you analyze a CXR.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Thinking back to CZ, you read a CXR as if you and I are standing face to face; things that appear on the right side of the film are actually on the left side of your body and vice-versa.

    radiology cxr shipley_note cbi3b_week7
  • The posterior margin of the left atrium is best seen on the PA projection.

    radiology cxr heart cbi3b_week7
  • The ratio of the cardiac horizontal diameter to the thoracic horizontal diameter should be greater than 0.6.

    radiology cxr heart cbi3b_week7
  • The ratio of the cardiac horizontal diameter to the thoracic horizontal diameter should be less than 0.3.

    radiology cxr heart cbi3b_week7
  • Two-thirds of the heart transverse diameter is on the right of the mediastinum and one-third is on the left.

    radiology cxr heart cbi3b_week7
  • Two-thirds or more of the heart transverse diameter is on the left of the mediastinum and up to one-third is on the right.

    radiology cxr heart cbi3b_week7
  • Describe chest radiography and what it is used for: chest radiography is used to diagnose various conditions.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • How would you rate this Brick? Options are: A, B, C, D, E.

    evaluation cbi3b_week7
  • The objectives include: 01 Describe chest radiography and what it is used for. 02 Describe how to obtain a posteroanterior (PA), anteroposterior (AP), and lateral chest x-ray (CXR).

    learning_objectives cbi3b_week7
  • The quality of a chest x-ray can be assessed by examining the clarity and positioning.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Identify the normal anatomy seen on a chest x-ray using the Airway, Bones, Cardiac, Diaphragm, and Fields of the lungs (ABCDEF) approach.

    anatomy cxr cbi3b_week7
  • Related First Aid Facts include: Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Pneumonia, and Lung abscess.

    first_aid cbi3b_week7
  • The gastric bubble is typically seen in the stomach area on a chest x-ray.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The posterior edge of the left atrium is a key indicator on a chest x-ray for assessing the heart size.

    radiology heart cbi3b_week7
  • The costophrenic sulci are important landmarks to identify on a chest x-ray for assessing fluid levels.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The humeral head and scapula can also be visualized on a lateral chest x-ray.

    anatomy cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The sternum and trachea are structures that should be noted when interpreting a chest x-ray.

    anatomy cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The diaphragm is an important landmark visible on a chest x-ray; its position can indicate pathology.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The thoracic vertebra can be assessed for alignment and potential deformities in a chest x-ray.

    anatomy cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The left main bronchus is a key structure to identify in the mediastinal silhouette on a chest x-ray.

    anatomy cxr cbi3b_week7
  • The posterior costophrenic sulci are evaluated to check for pleural effusion on a chest x-ray.

    radiology cxr cbi3b_week7