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Chest X-ray Interpretation
Bucky Boaz, ARNP-C
Introduction
Routinely obtained Pulmonary specialist consultation Inherent physical exam limitations Chest x-ray limitations Physical exam and chest x-ray provide compliment
Essentials Before Getting Started
Exposure Overexposure Underexposure
Sex of Patient Male Female
Essentials Before Getting Started
Path of x-ray beam
PA AP
Patient Position Upright Supine
Essentials Before Getting Started
Breath Inspiration Expiration
Systematic Approach
Bony Framework Soft Tissues Lung Fields and Hila Diaphragm and Pleural Spaces Mediastinum and Heart Abdomen and Neck
Systematic Approach
Bony Fragments Ribs Sternum
Spine Shoulder girdle Clavicles
Systematic Approach
Soft Tissues Breast shadows Supraclavicular areas
Axillae Tissues along side of
breasts
Systematic Approach
Lung Fields and Hila
Hilum
Pulmonary arteries Pulmonary veins Linear and fine nodular shadows of pulmonary vessels
Lungs
Blood vessels 40% obscured by other
tissue
Systematic Approach
Diaphragm and Pleural Surfaces
Diaphragm
Dome-shaped Costophrenic angles
Normal pleural is not
visible Interlobar fissures
Systematic Approach
Mediastinum and Heart
Heart size on PA
Right side
Inferior vena cava Right atrium Ascending aorta Superior vena cava
Systematic Approach
Mediastinum and Heart
Left side
Left ventricle Left atrium Pulmonary artery Aortic arch Subclavian artery and vein
Systematic Approach
Abdomen and Neck
Abdomen
Gastric bubble Air under diaphragm Soft tissue mass Air bronchogram
Neck
Summary of Density
Air Water Bone Tissue
Tissue
Pitfalls to Chest X-ray Interpretation
Poor inspiration Over or under penetration Rotation Forgetting the path of the x-ray beam
Lung Anatomy
Trachea Carina Right and Left Pulmonary Bronchi Secondary Bronchi Tertiary Bronchi Bronchioles Alveolar Duct Alveoli
Lung Anatomy
Right Lung Superior lobe Middle lobe
Inferior lobe
Left Lung Superior lobe Inferior lobe
Lung Anatomy on Chest X-ray
PA View: Extensive overlap Lower lobes extend
high
Lateral View: Extent of lower lobes
Lung Anatomy on Chest X-ray
The right upper lobe (RUL) occupies the upper 1/3 of the right lung. Posteriorly, the RUL is adjacent to the first three to five ribs. Anteriorly, the RUL extends inferiorly as far as the 4th right anterior rib
Lung Anatomy on Chest X-ray
The right middle lobe is typically the smallest of the three, and appears triangular in shape, being narrowest near the hilum
Lung Anatomy on Chest X-ray
The right lower lobe is the largest of all three lobes, separated from the others by the major fissure. Posteriorly, the RLL extend as far superiorly as the 6th thoracic vertebral body, and extends inferiorly to the diaphragm. Review of the lateral plain film surprisingly shows the superior extent of the RLL.
Lung Anatomy on Chest X-ray
These lobes can be separated from one another by two fissures. The minor fissure separates the RUL from the RML, and thus represents the visceral pleural surfaces of both of these lobes. Oriented obliquely, the major fissure extends posteriorly and superiorly approximately to the level of the fourth vertebral body.
Lung Anatomy on Chest X-ray
The lobar architecture of the left lung is slightly different than the right. Because there is no defined left minor fissure, there are only two lobes on the left; the left upper
Lung Anatomy on Chest X-ray
Left lower lobes
Lung Anatomy on Chest X-ray
These two lobes are separated by a major fissure, identical to that seen on the right side, although often slightly more inferior in location. The portion of the left lung that corresponds anatomically to the right middle lobe is incorporated into the left upper lobe.
The Normal Chest X-ray
PA View: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Aortic arch Pulmonary trunk Left atrial appendage Left ventricle Right ventricle Superior vena cava Right hemidiaphragm Left hemidiaphragm Horizontal fissure
An intra-thoracic radioopacity, if in anatomic contact with a border of heart or aorta, will obscure that border. An intrathoracic lesion not anatomically contiguous with a border or a normal structure will not obliterate that border.
Putting It All Together
Understanding Pathological Changes
Most disease states replace air with a pathological process Each tissue reacts to injury in a predictable fashion Lung injury or pathological states can be either a generalized or localized process
Liquid Density Liquid density Increased air density
inflammatory exudate Interstitium and architecture remain intact The airway is patent Radiologically:
A density corresponding to a segment or lobe Airbronchogram, and No significant loss of lung volume
Atelectasis
Loss of air Obstructive atelectasis:
No ventilation to the lobe
beyond obstruction Radiologically:
Density corresponding to a segment or lobe Significant loss of volume Compensatory hyperinflation of normal lungs
Stages of Evaluating an Abnormality
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Identification of abnormal shadows Localization of lesion Identification of pathological process Identification of etiology Confirmation of clinical suspension
Complex problems
Introduction of contrast medium CT chest MRI scan
Putting It Into Practice
Case 1
A single, 3cm relatively thin-walled cavity is noted in the left midlung. This finding is most typical of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). One-third of SCC masses show cavitation
Case 2
LUL Atelectasis: Loss of heart borders/silhouetting. Notice over inflation on unaffected lung
Case 3
Right Middle and Left Upper Lobe Pneumonia
Case 4
Cavitation:cystic changes in the area of consolidation due to the bacterial destruction of lung tissue. Notice air fluid level.
Cavitation
Case 5
Tuberculosis
Case 6
COPD: increase in heart diameter, flattening of the diaphragm, and increase in the size of the retrosternal air space. In addition the upper lobes will become hyperlucent due to destruction of the lung tissue.
Chronic emphysema effect on the lungs
Case 7
Pseudotumor: fluid has filled the minor fissure creating a density that resembles a tumor (arrow). Recall that fluid and soft tissue are indistinguishable on plain film. Further analysis, however, reveals a classic pleural effusion in the right pleura. Note the right lateral gutter is blunted and the right diaphram is obscurred.
Case 8
Pneumonia:a large pneumonia consolidation in the right lower lobe. Knowledge of lobar and segmental anatomy is important in identifying the location of the infection
Case 9
CHF:a great deal of accentuated interstitial markings, Curly lines, and an enlarged heart. Normally indistinct upper lobe vessels are prominent but are also masked by interstitial edema.
24 hours after diuretic therapy
Case 10
Chest wall lesion: arising off the chest wall and not the lung
Case 11
Pleural effusion: Note loss of left hemidiaphragm. Fluid drained via thoracentesis
Case 12
Lung Mass
Case 13
Small Pneumothorax: LUL
Case 15
Right Middle Lobe Pneumothorax: complete lobar collapse
Post chest tube insertion and re-expansion
Case 16
Metastatic Lung Cancer: multiple nodules seen
Case 17
Right upper lower lobe pulmonary nodule
Case 18
Tuberculosis
Case 19
Perihilar mass: Hodgkins disease
Case 20
Widened Mediastinum: Aortic Dissection
Case 21
Pulmonary artery stenosis with cardiomegally likely secondary to stenosis.
