Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the most common cause of cavitating lesions on a chest X-ray?
What is the most common cause of cavitating lesions on a chest X-ray?
Which of the following is NOT a common cause of unilateral hilar enlargement on a chest X-ray?
Which of the following is NOT a common cause of unilateral hilar enlargement on a chest X-ray?
What is the main use of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lung parenchyma?
What is the main use of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lung parenchyma?
Which of the following is NOT a common cause of reticular, nodular and reticulonodular shadows on a chest X-ray?
Which of the following is NOT a common cause of reticular, nodular and reticulonodular shadows on a chest X-ray?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the most common cause of lobar collapse on a chest X-ray?
What is the most common cause of lobar collapse on a chest X-ray?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a common cause of multiple nodules on a chest X-ray?
Which of the following is NOT a common cause of multiple nodules on a chest X-ray?
Signup and view all the answers
What can experienced operators distinguish using transthoracic ultrasound in the pleural space?
What can experienced operators distinguish using transthoracic ultrasound in the pleural space?
Signup and view all the answers
When using ultrasound, what can be identified by directly visualizing solid organs in the body?
When using ultrasound, what can be identified by directly visualizing solid organs in the body?
Signup and view all the answers
In cases of suspected intermittent laryngeal obstruction (ILO), what procedure allows direct inspection of the larynx?
In cases of suspected intermittent laryngeal obstruction (ILO), what procedure allows direct inspection of the larynx?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common symptom that may arise if a left lung tumor involves the left recurrent laryngeal nerve?
What is a common symptom that may arise if a left lung tumor involves the left recurrent laryngeal nerve?
Signup and view all the answers
Which procedure involves inspecting the trachea and first few generations of bronchi using a flexible fiber-optic scope?
Which procedure involves inspecting the trachea and first few generations of bronchi using a flexible fiber-optic scope?
Signup and view all the answers
What condition can continuous laryngoscopy during exercise tests help identify?
What condition can continuous laryngoscopy during exercise tests help identify?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Chest X-ray Abnormalities
- Consolidation can be caused by infection, infarction, inflammation, or rarely, bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma
- Lobar collapse can be caused by mucus plugging, tumour, compression by lymph nodes
- Solitary nodule is a common chest X-ray abnormality
- Multiple nodules can be caused by miliary tuberculosis (TB), dust inhalation, metastatic malignancy, healed varicella pneumonia, or rheumatoid disease
- Ring shadows, tramlines, and tubular shadows are indicative of bronchiectasis
- Cavitating lesions can be caused by tumour, abscess, infarct, pneumonia (Staphylococcus/Klebsiella), or granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
- Reticular, nodular, and reticulonodular shadows are indicative of diffuse parenchymal lung disease or infection
- Pleural abnormalities can include fluid, plaques, or tumour
- Increased translucency, bullae, and pneumothorax can also be observed
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Conventional MRI of lung parenchyma is not commonly used, but is being explored for distinguishing benign from malignant pleural disease and tumour invasion of chest wall or diaphragm
- Hyperpolarized He MRI is a developing method for assessing ventilation distribution within the lung
Ultrasound
- Transthoracic ultrasound is a point-of-care investigation for assessing pleural space
- It can distinguish pleural fluid from pleural thickening, identify pneumothorax, and guide pleural aspiration, biopsy, and intercostal chest drain insertion
- It can also be used to guide needle biopsy of superficial lymph node or chest wall masses and provides information on diaphragm shape and movement
Endoscopic Examination
- Laryngoscopy can be used to inspect the larynx directly with a fibreoptic laryngoscope in cases of suspected intermittent laryngeal obstruction (ILO)
- It can identify paradoxical movement of the vocal cords, mimicking asthma
- Left-sided lung tumours can involve the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, paralysing the left vocal cord and leading to a hoarse voice and a 'bovine' cough
- Continuous laryngoscopy during exercise tests can identify exercise-induced ILO
- Bronchoscopy can inspect the trachea and the first 3-4 generations of bronchi using a flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on common chest X-ray abnormalities in respiratory medicine, including pulmonary and pleural shadowing, consolidation, lobar collapse, solitary nodules, multiple nodules, and cavitating lesions. Learn about different patterns seen in chest X-rays and their possible underlying causes.
