Articles
Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.
95 results found
Article
CVC position on chest x-ray (summary)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Chest x-ray CVC (central venous catheter) position should be assessed following initial placement and on subsequent radiographs.
Reference article
This is a summary article; for a more in-depth reference article see centr...
Article
Nasogastric tube position on chest x-ray (summary)
This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
Nasogastric (NG) tube position on chest x-ray should be assessed following initial placement and on subsequent radiographs.
Reference article
This is a summary article; we have a more in-depth reference article NGT.
S...
Article
Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: HRCT chest approach
The approach to HRCT chest in patients with suspected idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is with the aim to:
make sure an appropriate study requested i.e. HRCT chest with optimal individually adjusted protocol and ensure adequacy of the HRCT chest quality (see imaging protocol below)
meti...
Article
Fleischner Society pulmonary nodule recommendations
The Fleischner Society pulmonary nodule recommendations pertain to the follow-up and management of indeterminate pulmonary nodules detected incidentally on CT and are published by the Fleischner Society. The guideline does not apply to lung cancer screening, patients younger than 35 years, or pa...
Article
Systematic chest radiograph assessment (approach)
One approach to a systematic chest radiograph assessment is as follows:
projection
assessment of the technical adequacy
tubes and lines
cardiomediastinal contours
hila
airways, lungs and pleura
bones and soft tissue
review areas
Following a systematic approach on every chest radiograph ...
Article
Empyema vs pulmonary abscess
Distinguishing between an empyema and a peripherally located pulmonary abscess is essential.
A pulmonary abscess is usually managed with prolonged antibiotics and physiotherapy with postural drainage, whereas an empyema usually requires percutaneous or surgical drainage.
Radiographic features
...
Article
Diagnostic HRCT criteria for usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern - Fleischner society guideline (2018)
In 2018, the Fleischner Society provided updated diagnostic HRCT criteria for usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern based on literature review and the expert opinion of members. As a part of this white paper, diagnostic HRCT criteria for usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern were updat...
Article
Retrosternal airspace
The retrosternal airspace is seen as a normal lucency between the posterior aspect of the sternum and anterior aspect of the ascending aorta on lateral chest radiographs. This space normally measures less than 2.5 cm in width. Increased retrosternal airspace is a sign of pulmonary emphysema, whi...
Article
Diffuse pulmonary nodules
Diffuse pulmonary nodules are usually seen as multiple pulmonary nodular opacifications on a HRCT chest scan. They can signify disease processes affecting either the interstitium or the airspace. They can range from a few millimeters to up to 1 cm and when very small and numerous there can be so...
Article
Reticular and linear pulmonary opacification
In chest radiology, reticular and linear opacification refers to a broad subgroup of pulmonary opacification caused by a decrease in the gas to soft tissue ratio due to a pathological process centered in or around the pulmonary interstitium. This includes thickening of any of the interstitial co...
Article
Point-of-care ultrasound (curriculum)
The point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) curriculum is one of our curriculum articles and aims to be a collection of articles that represent the core applications of ultrasonography in a point-of-care setting.
Point-of-care ultrasound refers to ultrasonography which may be simultaneously performed,...
Article
Neonatal pneumothorax
Neonatal pneumothorax describes pneumothoraces occurring in neonates. It is a life-threatening condition, associated with high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis is a challenge especially when the amount of air is small and may accumulate along the anterior or medial pleural space.
Epidemio...
Article
Adult chest radiograph common exam pathology
Adult chest radiograph common exam pathology is essential to consider in the build up to radiology exams. The list of potential diagnoses is apparently endless, but there are some favorites that seem to appear with more frequency.
When dealing with the adult chest radiograph in the exam setting...
Article
Assessment of bones and soft tissue on chest x-ray
Described below are points to consider on assessment of bones and soft tissue on chest x-ray.
ribs
rib fractures
lesions (most commonly metastases): may appear as lucent and/or sclerotic; inverting contrast may help in identification
previous surgery, e.g. thoracotomy with rib resection
ve...
Article
Congenital heart disease chest x-ray (an approach)
With the advent of echocardiography, and cardiac CT and MRI, the role of chest x-rays in evaluating congenital heart disease has been largely relegated to one of historical and academic interest. However, they continue to crop up in radiology exams. In most instances a definite diagnosis cannot ...
Article
Left atrial enlargement
Left atrial enlargement (LAE) may result from many conditions, either congenital or acquired. It has some characteristic findings on a frontal chest radiograph. CT or MRI may also be used for diagnosis.
Clinical presentation
An enlarged left atrium can have many clinical implications, such as:...
Article
Increased retrosternal airspace
Increased retrosternal airspace is an indicator of hyperinflation of the lungs and is usually due to emphysema.
The thickness of the space between the ascending aorta and the posterior margin of the sternum (3 cm inferior to the sternomanubrial joint) and is normally no more than 2.5 cm 1 altho...
Article
Retrotracheal space
The retrotracheal space (or Raider triangle) is a radiolucent mediastinal space best seen on lateral chest x-rays. It is normally triangular in shape but can vary greatly in size and shape depending on the patient's body habitus and lung volume 1.
Boundaries
anterior: posterior tracheal stripe...
Article
Fluoroscopic evaluation of esophagectomy
Fluoroscopic evaluation of esophagectomy is an important study, given the high rate of complication following esophagectomy (~10-20% rate of leak). Although the approach will differ slightly depending on the type of esophagectomy performed, the principles are similar.
Procedure
Preprocedural e...
Article
Right paratracheal stripe
The right paratracheal stripe is a normal finding on the frontal chest x-ray and represents the right tracheal wall, adjacent pleural surfaces and any mediastinal fat between them. It is visible because of the silhouette sign created by air within the trachea medially and air within the lung lat...
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