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
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
Revised PIOPED criteria for diagnosis of pulmonary embolus
The revised PIOPED criteria for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolus indicate the probability of pulmonary emboli based on findings on V/Q scan (ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy). The following article reflects the revised interpretation criteria promulgated in 1993 1 based on retrospective anal...
Article
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax, commonly abbreviated to PTX, (plural: pneumothoraces) refers to the presence of gas (often air) in the pleural space. When this collection of gas constantly enlarges with resulting compression of mediastinal structures, it can be life-threatening and is known as a tension pneumotho...
Article
Unilateral hypertransradiant hemithorax
Unilateral hypertransradiancy is the correct term for the chest radiograph appearance of decreased attenuation affecting one lung. Hyperlucency is a commonly used alternative but is inaccurate; the chest is not penetrated by light!
An outside-in approach is helpful to identify the cause:
techn...
Article
Lung cancer (staging - IASLC 8th edition)
The IASLC (International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer) 8th edition lung cancer staging system was introduced in 2016 and supersedes the IASLC 7th edition. It is a TNM staging system.
Standard-of-care lung cancer staging ideally should be performed in a multidisciplinary meeting usin...
Article
Aortic nipple
Aortic nipple is the name given to the chest radiography appearance of the left superior intercostal vein as it courses over the aortic arch. This small convexity is seen in less than 10% of PA chest x-rays. The caliber of the vein normally changes with intrathoracic pressure and patient positio...
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
Ground-glass opacification
Ground-glass opacification/opacity (GGO) is a descriptive term referring to an area of increased attenuation in the lung on computed tomography (CT) with preserved bronchial and vascular markings. It is a non-specific sign with a wide etiology including infection, chronic interstitial disease an...
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
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
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
Isomerism
Isomerism is a term which in general means 'mirror-image' and refers to finding normally-asymmetric bilateral structures to be similar. It is used in the context of heterotaxy and is of two types:
left isomerism
right isomerism
Left isomerism
Mirror image of the structures on the left side o...
Article
Pulmonary nodule
Pulmonary nodules are small, rounded opacities within the pulmonary interstitium. Pulmonary nodules are common and, as the spatial resolution of CT scanners has increased, detection of smaller and smaller nodules has occurred, which are more often an incidental finding.
Classification
Pulmonar...
Article
Sniff test
The fluoroscopic sniff test, also known as diaphragm fluoroscopy, is a quick and easy real time fluoroscopic assessment of diaphragmatic motor function (excursion). It is used most often to confirm absence of muscular contraction of the diaphragm during inspiration in patients with phrenic nerve...
Article
Review areas on chest radiograph
Review areas on a chest radiograph are common areas for missed findings, and special attention should be paid to them:
lung apices: masses (e.g. Pancoast tumor), pneumothorax
behind the heart: consolidation, masses, hiatus hernia 2
below the diaphragm: free gas, lines and tubes (e.g. nasogast...
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
Assessment of lungs, pleura and airways on chest x-ray (approach)
Described below is one approach to the assessment of airways, lungs and pleura on chest x-ray. Start by assessing the tracheal air column, followed by the lungs and finally the pleural spaces.
Tracheobronchial tree
assess position, should be central and deviation can be due to
positive mass ...
Article
Assessment of pulmonary hila on chest x-ray (approach)
The assessment of the pulmonary hila on chest x-ray is important for detecting potential mediastinal and lung pathology.
Several features of the hilum and hilar point can be assessed:
shape
normally appear as K or C-shapes on either side
contents: pulmonary arteries and veins, bronchi, lymph...
Article
Assessment of cardiomediastinal contours on chest x-ray (approach)
Described below is one approach to systematic assessment and associated pathology of the cardiomediastinal contours on chest x-ray.
Mediastinum
size: widened mediastinum can be seen in aortic dissection, traumatic aortic injury, vascular ectasia
abnormal contour, e.g. lymphadenopathy, anterio...
Article
Lines and tubes (radiograph)
Lines and tubes are important components in chest radiographic evaluation.
Nasogastric tube (NGT)
See: nasogastric tube positioning.
Correct position
NG tube tip ≥10 cm distal to the gastro-esophageal junction
i.e. below the left hemidiaphragm
Complications
insertion into trachea or bron...
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