Term
| What does "ABCDE LMP" stand for? |
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Definition
Airway, Bones, Cardiac Shadow, Diaphragm, Everything else (abdomen, breast, neck, acilla, soft tissue)
Lungs, Mediastinum, Pleura |
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Term
| What direction does the trachea normally slant toward? |
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Definition
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Term
| What two times do you need to examine the bones more thoroughly because they are almost always associated with bone lesions? |
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Definition
-when you see extra pleural sign
-when you see apical lung masses |
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Term
| What is the normal diameter of the heart in the PA view? |
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Definition
| less than half the trans-thoracic diameter |
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Term
| Does the heart appear larger in the AP or PA view? |
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Definition
| AP view - film is further from the organ |
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Term
| What is a "silhouette sign"? |
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Definition
| loss of normal borders between thoracic structures |
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Term
| Which cardiac silhouette would be obscured in RML pneumonia? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which cardiac silhouette would be obscured in RLL pneumonia/ RML disease? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which cardiac silhouette would be obscured in LLL pneumonia? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which cardiac silhouette would be obscured by LUL disease? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which cardiac silhouette would be obscured by lingular disease? |
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Definition
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Term
| What posterior ribs should meet the diaphragm margin on full inspiration? |
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Definition
| 8th or 10th posterior ribs |
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Term
| What organ determines the position of the diaphragm? |
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Definition
| the heart (NOT the liver). In pts with left-sided hearts, the lt diaphragm is lower |
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Term
| What fissures can be seen in the PA view? |
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Definition
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Term
| Where is the transverse fissure located? |
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Definition
| 4th anterior rib on the right side |
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Term
| What fissures can be seen in the lateral view? |
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Definition
| oblique and transverse fissures |
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Term
| Which way is the mediastinum pulled toward? |
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Definition
| the side where there is greater negative pressure (in other words - the side with higher pleural pressure will push the mediastinum to the opposite side) |
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Term
| Is the ascending aorta on the right or left of the trachea? descending aorta? |
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Definition
ascending = right
descending = left (aortic knob) |
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Term
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Definition
| Aorto-pulmonary window = the space between the aortic knob and the left pulmonary artery |
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Term
| When can the AP window become obliterated? |
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Definition
| enlarged AP window nodes, aortic aneurysm, pulmonary artery aneurysm |
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Term
| Which side of the chest is used for lateral CXR? |
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Definition
| left - closer to the heart |
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Term
| If fluid is present in the lung, where will it present first on lateral CXR? |
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Definition
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Term
| Where is the mediastinum divided into superior and inferior in lateral CXR? |
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Definition
| horizontal line at Angle of Louis (junction of manubrium and body of sternum) |
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Term
| What position is the pt in for a PA film? |
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Definition
| upright, hugging the cassette |
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Term
| What position is the pt in for an AP film? |
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Definition
| supine position, cassette is behind the pt on the bed |
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Term
| How is the scapula different in PA vs AP view? |
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Definition
PA - scapula is seen more outside the ribs and is rotated. The edge of the scapula does not overlap lung fields
AP - Scapula projects posteriorly overlapping the lung fields. |
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Term
| How are the clavicles different in PA vs AP view? |
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Definition
PA - clavicles project in the chest below the inlet of the thorax
AP - clavicles project above the inlet of the thorax |
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Term
| How is the air fluid level different in PA vs AP view? |
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Definition
PA - air fluid level may be present in the stomach
AP - no air fluid level in the stomach |
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Term
| How is penetrance of a CXR assessed? |
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Definition
| by looking at the retrocardiac vertebra |
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Term
| What does an overexposed film look like? |
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Definition
| Retrocardiac vertebra and intervertebral disc spaces are very clear. Lung fields appear dark. |
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Term
| What do you risk missing in an overexposed film? |
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Definition
| Small lung lesions may not be detected. Dark lung fields can also be misinterpreted as emphysema. |
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Term
| What does an underexposed film look like? |
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Definition
| Retrocardiac vertebra and intervertebral disc spaces are not seen. Interstitial markings appear prominent. |
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Term
| What can be misdiagnosed in an underexposed film? |
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Definition
| Interstitial markings appear prominent and can be mistaken for interstitial disease. |
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Term
| What should you assume the CXR positioning is if it is not labeled? |
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Definition
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