Chest Xrays (CXR)

colors on a CXR & what they are

- white = bone

- black = gas

- light gray = soft tissue

- dark gray = fat

- bright white = man made devices

ABCDE of CXRs (systematic review/how to interpret)

- A = airway

- B = bones

- C = cardiac (heart is 50% of width of lungs)

- D = diaphragm (costophrenic angle & domed)

- E = everything else

- F = fields (lung)

where the L and R main bronchus separate

carina

CXR are usually [inspiratory/expiratory] films

inspiratory

you should do an expiratory film for someone with what possible diagnosis?

a pneumothorax

pleural effusion and pneumothorax push the trachea which way?

away

you should be able to count how many ribs on a good CXR?

8-10 ribs

if there is not a sharp costophrenic angle, what may be the problem?

atelectasis

most common reason for atelectasis

anasthesia

on an expiratory film you will see less

ribs

opacity on a CXR is what color?

white or gray

what will you find on a CXR of someone with bibasilar atelectasis?

blunting of the costophrenic angle

findings on a CXR for emphysema

- large/long lungs

- blunting of costophrenic angle and no doming

- widened intercostal spaces/flattened ribs

how long do you have to diagnoses CAP (community acquired pneumonia)

48 hours