Imaging the chest 1 52 Fig. 1.58 Cystic fibrosis (CF). The widespread interstitial pattern shadowing is typical of CF. Note the right-sided portacath and a right-sided apical pneumothorax. Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 52 Case illustrations: plain films and CT 1 53 Question 19 Fig. 1.59 Quiz case. 46-year-old smoker. On surgical waiting list for hernia surgery (Fig. 1.59).  What is the diagnosis? Answer Emphysema There is hyperexpansion of both lungs with flattening of the diaphragms. At the level of the diaphragm there are eight anterior ribs (normal is six to seven). There are decreased lung markings throughout the lungs particularly affecting the lung bases, a pattern found in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Radiological changes of chronic bronchitis and emphysema chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include:  hyperinflation (increased retrosternal clear space on lateral film),  flattening of diaphragms,  reduced lung markings (emphysema),  peribronchial thickening,  bullae (increased risk of pneumothorax),  cardiac enlargement,  enlarged pulmonary arteries (pulmonary hypertension). Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 53 Imaging the chest 1 54 Question 20 70-year-old man. Awaiting total hip replacement. Seen in surgical pre-assessment clinic. History of cough.  Describe the abnormality seen on the chest X-ray (Fig. 1.60).  What are the most likely differential diagnoses?  How would you manage the patient? Fig. 1.60 Quiz case. Answer Solitary pulmonary nodule or mass There is a solitary nodule seen in the mid-zone of the right lung. No other pulmonary nodules or rib lesions are seen. Nipple shadows can often cause confusion on plain films as they may resemble lung nodules. If any doubt exists then metallic skin markers should be positioned and further X-rays taken. This case example was a nipple shadow (see Fig. 1.61). A common cause of true pulmonary nodule in a patient of this age would be bronchogenic carcinoma; metastasis, granuloma or infection are further possibilities. Solitary pulmonary nodule With this type of film (especially in a viva situation) you give the most likely differential diagnosis first and list the others in reducing order of probability. It is no good giving Wegeners granulomatosis as the opening differential, although possible, it is not the most likely diagnosis in a 70-year-old smoker (Table 1.9). Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 54 Case illustrations: plain films and CT 1 55 Fig. 1.61 Nipple shadow CT. Although a plain film with metallic nipple markers is usually sufficient, this CT clearly demonstrates the cause of the ‘nodule’ seen on the plain film. Table 1.9 The solitary lung mass Acquired Tumour Malignant Bronchogenic carcinoma (look for rib mets) Solitary metastasis Breast (mastectomy), renal (surgical clips), sarcoma, seminoma Lymphoma Benign Carcinoid (central position) Hamartoma (popcorn calcification) (see Fig. 1.62) Infection Bacterial Round pneumonias (children) Parasitic Hydatid (?name, waterlilly sign) Fungal Histoplasmosis Infarction Pulmonary Infarct (peripheral, wedge shaped) Vascular Pulmonary avm (Large feeding vessel) (see Fig. 1.63) Granuloma TB (Name, satellite lesion) Wegeners (Old films, ?dialysis line) (Fig. 1.64) Sarcoid Rheumatoid nodule (Shoulder erosions, clavicle) Trauma Haematoma (Rib fractures) Congenital Sequestered segment (Usually basal) Bronchogenic cyst (Normally mediastinal) Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 55 Imaging the chest 1 56 Fig. 1.62 Hamartoma. ‘Popcorn’ calcification is almost pathonomonic of hamartoma, usually the lesion is slow growing and about half contain fat on CT. Fig. 1.63 Arterio-venous malformation. These can appear like a suspicious nodule on chest X-ray. Feeding vessels are sometimes visible on the conventional X-ray but CT with contrast enhancement will demonstrate these very elegantly. Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 56 Case illustrations: plain films and CT 1 57 Fig. 1.64 Wegeners granulomatosis. This can appear as patchy alveolar infiltrate – either single or multiple which can also be complicated by cavitation. You may be pressed for further causes of a solitary nodule by the examiner. This is a classic example of where to use a surgical sieve. You must try and narrow the differential by looking for any secondary signs on the film (look for the signs given in brackets). Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 57 Imaging the chest 1 58 Question 21 54-year-old male. Chronic cough productive of sputum. Recent fever malaise and haemoptysis.  What is the underlying lung condition (Fig. 1.65)?  What complication has occurred? Fig. 1.65 Quiz case. Answer Bronchiectasis with pulmonary abscess/cavity Causes of lung cavitation are listed in Table 1.10. In the case of lung abscesses a solid nodule is the first radiological manifestation. When the necrotic centre/pus discharges into the bronchial tree, then a fluid level and the cavity wall are often visible. In addition to pyogenic infections, a parenchymal lung cavity should raise the possibility of TB. This represents reactivation disease and classically affects the apical or posterior segments of the upper lobes. Pulmonary cavities can become complicated by empyema (Fig. 1.66). Cavitating malignancy can appear similar to infectious cavities. These may be primary bronchogenic malignancy or metastatic disease such as head and neck squamous carcinoma. Cavitating malignancy tends to have more nodular, thicker walls (more than 15 mm) than infection (less than 5 mm). Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 58 Case illustrations: plain films and CT 1 59 Table 1.10 Causes of lung cavities Pyogenic abscess Staphlococcus aureus Beta-haemolytic streptococcus Klebsiella Anaerobes Septic emboli TB Reactivation (apical or posterior segment of upper lobes) Parasitic infection Echinococcus Malignancy Primary or metastatic (particularly squamous cell carcinoma) Rheumatoid nodule Wegener’s granulomatosis Cavitating infarct Fig. 1.66 Infective lung cavity which has been complicated by empyema. Mimics of cavitating lesions include pneumatoceles, emphesematous bullae and cystic bronchiectasis. Pneumatoceles are thin-walled intra-parenchymal areas of air trapping which occur in the recovery phase of staphylococcal pneumonia, contusion or chronic ARDS. Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 59 Imaging the chest 1 60 Question 22 Fig. 1.67 Quiz case. 64-year-old patient. Breathless for 2 months; three stone weight loss.  What is the most likely diagnosis (Fig. 1.67)? Answer Multiple pulmonary masses There are multiple pulmonary masses of varying sizes seen in both lungs. The commonest cause of this appearance in a patient of this age would be multiple metastases. There are no bony lesions, no mastectomy and no other clues to suggest a primary site. Old films would help to confirm the nature of the nodules and rate of growth. Comment If pushed, this film is another situation where a surgical sieve will help to recall causes of multiple pulmonary nodules/masses (Table 1.11). Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 60 Case illustrations: plain films and CT 1 61 Table 1.11 Causes of multiple pulmonary nodules/masses Tumour Metastasis Breast, renal, thyroid, squamous carcinoma (head and neck), gastrointestinal tumours, osteosarcoma Lymphoma Infection Bacterial Abscesses, Staph. aureus, Pseudomonas, TB Parasitic Hydatid Infarction Multiple pulmonary infarct Vascular Pulmonary avm Granuloma Wegeners Rheumatoid nodule AIDS Kaposi sarcoma Occupation Caplans, PMF Others Amyloid Papillomatosis of the lung Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 61 [...]... cage and pleural abnormality Kyphoscoliosis Thoracoplasty Extreme obesity 66 Page 66 Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 67 Case illustrations: plain films and CT Question 25 34 -year-old drug addict Homeless Cough and haemoptysis Tachypnoea, hypoxia You are asked to assess with view to ventilatory support 1 What does the chest X-ray (Fig 1. 73) show? What risk factors should be considered? Fig 1. 73 Quiz... Figs 1.80 and 1.81 a left-sided central line has been placed in the pleural space (the line appears too lateral) and intravenous nutrition has been infiltrated into the pleural cavity compressing the left lung and the mediastinum 73 Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 74 Imaging the chest Question 29 18-hour-old male neonate Tachypnoea, sternal and intercostal rescession 1 What does the chest X-ray (Fig... with subsequent collapse of the right upper lobe and the left lung 72 Fig 1.80 The left-sided central venous line is too lateral on the check X-ray Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 73 Case illustrations: plain films and CT 1 Fig 1.81 On the basis of the X-ray in Fig 1.17 the central venous line was used for parenteral nutrition There is now a large left-sided pleural fluid collection – the line tip... infection and metastases can give a similar appearance Table 1.12 Miliary nodules Miliary TB Sarcoid Dust inhalation/pneumoconiosis Extrinsic allergic alveolitis Miliary metastases: thyroid, melanoma Dense miliary nodules Haemosiderosis Silicosis Stannosis Chicken pox 63 Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page Imaging the chest Question 24 38 -year-old patient Chronic musculoskeletal deformity 1 What is this deformity... Neonatal pneumomediastinum lateral projection The patient is positioned supine and a shoot through lateral projection has been performed This is outlining the thymus and other mediastinal structures 75 Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 76 Imaging the chest Question 30 1-day-old infant with respiratory difficulties 1 What does the X-ray (Fig 1.85) show? Fig 1.85 Quiz case Answer Diaphragmatic hernia There... 13 Colon 14 Splenic vein 15 Gall bladder 16 Right kidney 17 Psoas 18 Left kidney 19 Colon 20 Small bowel 21 Bladder 22 Femoral vein 23 Femoral artery 24 Rectum 25 Left femoral head 84 Case illustrations: plain films and CT Question 3 62-year-old patient Colicky abdominal pain Tinkling bowel sounds In what position were the films (Figs 2.6 and 2.7) taken? Describe the abnormality on the abdominal X-ray... in anaesthetic practice, the FRCA examination, and in those patients admitted to intensive care units 2 79 Imaging the abdomen Case illustrations: plain films and CT Question 1 Name the normal structures labelled on the abdominal X-ray (Fig 2.1) 2 Fig 2.1 Quiz case 80 Case illustrations: plain films and CT Answer 1 Right hemidiaphragm 2 Liver outline 3 Right kidney 4 Peritoneal fat line 5 Ascending... employed (Table 1. 13) 1 Fig 1.72 TB thoracoplasty Pre-antibiotic era treatment for TB 65 Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Imaging the chest Table 1. 13 Causes of chronic respiratory failure 1 Type I respiratory failure (hypoxia) Pulmonary fibrosis Pulmonary vascular disease Type II respiratory failure (Hypoxia and Hypercapnoea) Airways disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis... lymph nodes Post-primary TB (reactivation or initial infection or infection post-BCG) Apical and posterior segments of upper lobes Chronic patchy ill-defined areas of opacification Cavitation may colonise with Aspergillus Bronchiectasis Upper lobe fibrosis (see Fig 1.74) 67 Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 68 Imaging the chest 1 Fig 1.74 TB upper lobe fibrosis There is linear shadowing and volume loss... with elevation of both hila 68 Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 69 Case illustrations: plain films and CT Question 26 68-year-old electrician 6 months of worsening chest pain 1 What is the diagnosis (Figs 1.75 and 1.76)? What further question will help make a diagnosis? Describe the procedure to confirm the diagnosis Fig 1.75 Quiz case Fig 1.76 Quiz case 69 Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 70 Imaging . the right-sided portacath and a right-sided apical pneumothorax. Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 52 Case illustrations: plain films and CT 1 53 Question 19 Fig. 1.59 Quiz case. 46-year-old smoker. On. diseases, infection and metastases can give a similar appearance. Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 63 Imaging the chest 1 64 Question 24 38 -year-old patient. Chronic musculoskeletal deformity.  What. dystrophy  Thoracic cage and pleural abnormality  Kyphoscoliosis  Thoracoplasty  Extreme obesity Chap-01.qxd 10/15/02 6:06 PM Page 66 Case illustrations: plain films and CT 1 67 Question 25 34 -year-old drug