X-RAY BASICS
Name the four tissue densities visible on a normal chest x-ray.
What is air, fat, water/soft tissue, and bone?
This imaging technique uses sound waves and is commonly used at the bedside
What is ultrasound?
The term for excess fluid accumulating in the pleural space.
What is a pleural effusion?
The patchy, increased density shadows seen when alveoli fill with fluid, pus, or blood.
What is infiltrates (airspace opacities)?
The most common cause of cephalization on an upright chest x-ray.
What is left heart failure?
This chest x-ray projection minimizes magnification of the heart.
What is PA (posteroanterior.)?
This imaging technique produces detailed cross-sectional slices of the chest.
What is CT (computerized tomography)?
What is blunting of the costophrenic angle?
The dark tubular structures visible within dense alveolar infiltrates.
What are air bronchograms?
This term describes edema concentrated around the hilar regions of both lungs.
Happens to the appearance of a chest x-ray when it is underpenetrated.
What is it appears more white?
This imaging technique is commonly used to identify a pulmonary embolism.
What is a CT angiography?
The medical term for blood accumulating in the pleural space.
What is a hemothorax?
This condition causes lungs to lose volume.
What is atelectasis?
The distance above the carina that an ET tube tip should be positioned
What is 3-6cm above the carina?
The first thing you should verify before interpreting a chest x-ray.
What is the patients identity?
This imaging technique is especially useful for identifying specific forms of interstitial lung disease.
What is HRCT (High Resolution ComputedTomography)?
The term for infected pleural fluid.
What is an empyema?
What is TOWARDS?
This is where the tip of a central venous catheter should be located.
What is the superior vena cava (SVC)?
Why you should assess technique and image quality before looking for abnormalities.
What is to avoid mistaking poor technique or positioning for pathology?
What is an MRI?
This life-threatening condition occurs when air enters the pleural space but cannot escape.
What is a tension pneumothorax?
Name three signs of lung hyperinflation on a chest x-ray.
- more than 7 anterior ribs above the sternum
- flattened hemidiaphragms
- increased retrosternal space
- narrowed mediastinum
- increased AP diameter
A patient has bilateral pleural effusions, cephalization, Kerley B lines, and perihilar haze. The patient most likely has this condition.
What is pulmonary edema?