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…
Recognizing the difference between normal anatomy and what is abnormal is critical to your ability to make a correct diagnosis. This chapter begins your exploration into the realm of the abnormal, starting with recognizing patterns of parenchymal lung disease. Case…
Starting with conventional radiography, we’ll begin with an assessment of heart size, then describe the normal and abnormal contours of the heart on the frontal radiograph and, finally, discuss the normal anatomy of the heart as seen on computed tomography…
In this chapter, you’ll learn how to evaluate the normal anatomy ( Fig. 2.1 ) and the technical adequacy ( Fig. 2.2 ) of the lungs on conventional radiography as well as on computed tomography. To become more proficient interpreting images of…