Recognition of extraluminal gas is an important finding that can have an immediate effect on the course of treatment. Air is normally not present in the peritoneal or extraperitoneal spaces, bowel wall, or biliary system. Air outside of the bowel…
In Chapters 13 and 14 , we discussed how to recognize the normal intestinal gas pattern on conventional radiographs and computed tomography (CT). In this chapter, you will learn how to recognize and categorize the four most common abnormal bowel…
Introduction to Abdominal and Pelvic CT It is estimated that around 80 million computed tomography (CT) scans of all kinds are performed in the United States each year. Almost 10% of all visits to the emergency department are for abdominal…
Although imaging of the abdomen is now largely performed utilizing computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, (US), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), many patients still have “plain films” of the abdomen as a first step before other imaging studies are performed or…
This chapter will discuss how to assess heart size, then describe the normal and abnormal contours of the heart on the frontal radiograph, and, finally, illustrate some imaging findings in common cardiac diseases. Recognizing an Enlarged Cardiac Silhouette The cardiac…
In this chapter, you will learn how to recognize mediastinal masses, benign and malignant pulmonary neoplasms, pulmonary thromboembolic disease, and selected airway diseases. Several chest abnormalities are discussed in other chapters ( Table 11.1 ). A complete discussion of all…
Patients in the critical or intensive care units (ICU) are monitored on a frequent basis with portable chest radiography, both to check on the position of their multiple assistive devices and to assess their cardiopulmonary status. Diseases commonly seen in…
General Considerations Pneumonia can be defined as consolidation of the lung produced by inflammatory exudate, usually as a result of an infectious agent. Most pneumonias produce airspace disease, either lobar or segmental. Other pneumonias demonstrate interstitial disease and some produce…
Normal Anatomy and Physiology of the Pleural Space Normal anatomy The parietal pleura lines the inside of the thoracic cage and the visceral pleura adheres to the surface of the lung parenchyma including its interface with the mediastinum and diaphragm…
What Is Atelectasis? Common to all forms of atelectasis is a loss of volume in some or all of the lung, usually leading to increased density of the lung involved. The lung normally appears “black” on a chest radiograph because…