Introduction Thoracic imaging plays a vital role in the management of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The chest radiograph provides critical information regarding placement of life support devices, complications such as barotrauma, intravascular volume status, and a wide spectrum of…
Introduction Chest radiography serves a vital role in the management of critical care patients. Most patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have at least one and frequently more than one device for central venous access, mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring,…
Introduction Several congenital abnormalities of the thorax have been described, but most are rare. Classification of these anomalies is difficult because the embryologic basis often is not clearly understood. A classification based on anatomic structures uses the categories of trachea,…
Pleura Anatomy and Physiology The pleura is composed of two thin layers of mesothelium referred to as the visceral and parietal pleura. The visceral pleura covers the lung and fissural surfaces and the parietal pleura lines the mediastinum, ribs, and…
Normal Anatomy Trachea The trachea is a tubular structure that extends from the cricoid cartilage superiorly to the carina inferiorly and is purely gas conducting. It is typically cylindrical in shape with slight flattening along its posterior aspect. The trachea…
Introduction The mediastinum is bounded anteriorly by the sternum, posteriorly by the thoracic spine, laterally by the mediastinal pleura, superiorly by the thoracic inlet, and inferiorly by the diaphragm. It contains vital intrathoracic structures and organs, including the heart, aorta,…
Introduction Positron emission tomography (PET) has become an important imaging tool in thoracic oncology over the past 10 to 20 years. It has proven its usefulness in the diagnosis of malignancies, initial staging, assessing response to treatment, and posttreatment monitoring…
Introduction Uses of Thoracic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Chest radiography (CXR) and chest tomography (CT) have been the mainstays of thoracic imaging for decades, and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)–CT has more recently proven its value in staging lung cancer and…
Normal Anatomy Trachea and Main Bronchi The trachea is a midline cartilaginous and fibromuscular tubular structure that extends from the inferior aspect of the cricoid cartilage to the carina. The intrathoracic length of the trachea normally ranges from 6 to…
Introduction This chapter reviews various x-ray–based techniques used in thoracic imaging, including radiography, fluoroscopy, digital tomosynthesis, and computed tomography (CT). Conventional, Computed, and Digital Radiography Merely 1 year after discovery of x-rays by Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen, calcium tungstate was chosen…