In Chapter 12, Chapter 13 , 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 90 million CT scans of all kinds were performed in the United States in 2019. Almost 10% of all visits to the emergency department are for abdominal pain of a…
While imaging of the abdomen is now largely performed utilizing CT, ultrasound, or MRI, many patients still have conventional radiographs (“plain films”) of the abdomen as a first step before other imaging studies are performed or as a method of…
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. Case Quiz 11 Question This 47-year-old female…
In this chapter, you will learn how to recognize mediastinal masses, benign and malignant pulmonary neoplasms, pulmonary thromboembolic disease, and selected airway diseases. Case Quiz 10 Question This is a view of the lung apices in a 73-year-old male with…
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. Case Quiz 9 Question…
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, frequently (but not always) leading to increased density of the lung involved. The lung normally appears “black” on a…
There are three major causes of an opacified hemithorax (plus one other that is less common). They are: Atelectasis of the entire lung A very large pleural effusion Pneumonia of an entire lung And a fourth cause Pneumonectomy— removal of…